Girlfriend of Scott City murder suspect charged

BENTON, Mo. -- The girlfriend of a Scott City man accused of murdering his mother was charged Wednesday with helping cover up the crime.

Tiffany Warner, 24, of Jackson was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of Scott City woman Cynthia Canoy. Warner is charged with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, a felony that carries a punishment of up to four years in jail. She posted a $15,000 bond, and an arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 28.

Warner was arrested at circuit court while appearing for another case in which she was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Warner is the girlfriend of accused murderer Neil Howland Jr. The couple lived with Canoy at the time of her death. Canoy's body was found in a burning SUV in a northern Scott County cornfield Aug. 7. This week, Howland was charged with strangling her, then burning the car with her body and her two dogs inside.

In a probable-cause affidavit signed by Missouri State Highway patrolman Sgt. W.T. Cooper, Warner is charged with destroying a dog leash used to strangle Canoy. Cooper said in the affidavit Howland confessed to strangling Canoy with the braided dog leash and later attempted to burn it, but the leash did not burn completely. Howland said it was after he first spoke with investigators that he returned to his house where "they" cleaned up the house, according to the document. Howland said it was at this point the leash was burned, Cooper wrote.

Neighbors saw dark smoke coming from both fireplaces at the residence Aug. 7, the evening Canoy's body was found, and also Aug. 8, Cooper wrote.

It was during the execution of a search warrant Aug. 8 that investigators found a small portion of the leash and a metal clasp in the fireplace, according to the affidavit.

While in custody at the Scott County Jail, Warner and Howland were overheard by Scott County sheriff's deputy D. Stausing talking about the murder, Cooper wrote. According to the affidavit, Howland asked Warner whether she had gotten everything out of the house, and Warner said she had.

Investigators also say before Howland voluntarily went to the Scott County Sheriff's Department to be questioned, he phoned Warner saying he was going in for questioning. Warner then called her sister, Danielle Pettigrew, and instructed her to remove all the guns, a security system and a machete from the residence, according to the affidavit.

During the Aug. 8 search of the home where Warner and Howland lived with Canoy, investigators found deplorable conditions and, as a result, charged Warner with first-degree child endangerment.

Dogs and cats were found locked in multiple rooms in the house, and feces and urine littered the floors, according to an affidavit in that case. Blood also was found in several areas of the home; revolvers were found in a baby bag under a basinet, and a shotgun was found in a bedroom. The affidavit said dirty clothing was scattered throughout the home along with dirty dishes, knives, trash and drug paraphernalia.

Howland is charged with first-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with evidence and knowingly burning, all felonies. The most serious charge carries a potential life sentence. Howland, 25, of Scott City appeared via video Wednesday for arraignment, and his case is set for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 25.

Howland was arrested Aug. 9, two days after his mother's body was found, on charges of third-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon stemming from a May 18 incident in which Canoy and her husband, Jerry Canoy, told police Howland had threatened them with a machete and firearms, and they feared for their lives. He has remained in jail since, and was charged Monday with his mother's murder.

According to online court records, Warner did not have an attorney as of Wednesday evening. Public defender Amy Commean is representing Howland on all charges. Commean had not returned a phone call as of Wednesday afternoon.

skluesner@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO

Scott City, MO