The Kokomo Perspective was a weekly newspaper that served the city of Kokomo, Indiana, for more than three decades. It ceased operating on November 29, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of local journalism and community engagement. However, the paper also covered some of the most shocking and heartbreaking stories of death and violence that occurred in Howard County. Here are some of the cases that made the headlines in the Kokomo Perspective and the causes of death of the victims involved.
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Murder-Suicide in Howard County
On March 18, 2021, deputies from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office found two people dead inside a home on East 400 South. The coroner confirmed that it was a murder-suicide involving a married couple. The husband, identified as 56-year-old David L. Smith, shot and killed his wife, 54-year-old Lisa A. Smith, before turning the gun on himself. The motive for the killing was not clear, but the sheriff’s office said that there was a history of domestic violence between the couple.
Kokomo Firefighter Dies After Battle with COVID-19
On April 8, 2021, the Kokomo Fire Department announced the death of one of its members, 49-year-old Lieutenant Michael D. Rose. Rose had been fighting COVID-19 for several weeks and was hospitalized at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He passed away due to complications from the virus. Rose had served as a firefighter for 25 years and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was remembered as a dedicated and courageous public servant who loved his family and his job.
Early Morning Murder on North Webster Street
On April 4, 2019, police responded to a report of shots fired on North Webster Street around 4:30 a.m. They found a man lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as 25-year-old Dayshon Sanders. The cause of death was determined to be homicide by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. The suspect, 24-year-old Javon Woods, was arrested later that day and charged with murder and robbery.
Death Investigation in Arundel Drive
On February 7, 2023, Indiana State Police and the Howard County Sheriff’s Office conducted a death investigation in a Kokomo neighborhood. The death occurred in the 1100 block of Arundel Drive on Tuesday morning. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, but no other details were released by the authorities. The identity and cause of death of the person were not disclosed to the public.
Heart Disease: The Leading Cause of Death in America
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, accounting for one in four deaths on average. In 2019, 659,041 Americans died of heart disease, followed by cancer with 599,601 death. Heart disease is also one of the most preventable causes of death, as many risk factors can be controlled or reduced by lifestyle changes and medical interventions. Some of the risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and poor diet. The CDC recommends that people take steps to prevent or manage heart disease by following a healthy eating plan, being physically active, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking prescribed medications as directed.
