HPD: Woman kills husband, turns gun on herself

Wife confesses murder to family

HOUSTON – A wife fatally shot her husband and confessed to relatives before killing herself, according to Houston police.

Police said a family called for help after a woman, identified Friday as 42-year-old Gwendolyn Howard, drove to their home in northwest Harris County and said that she had killed her husband Tuesday night about 10:20 p.m. Howard then shot herself.

"Told them that she showed up at the residence and admitted to them that she shot her husband inside the county and the family came over to the apartment," said Sgt. W.L. Meeler with the Houston Police Department. "From what I understand right now, after she confessed to the family members, she shot herself and she was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead."

There are still marks on the front door of apartment 1610 at the Somerset Apartment complex on Tidwell and Dow where the door was forced open.  Police and firefighters found the body of 43-year-old Terry Howard inside.

The wife's death was ruled the final death in Harris County for 2013. The husband's death is investigated as the first of 2014.