Slain homeless woman identified, boyfriend charged

Today the Franklin County Coroner ruled that the woman found near the Scioto River Tuesday was strangled to death, with her boyfriend being the prime suspect.

Danny Johnson, 34, is charged with the murder of Cathleen “Cat” Howatt, and is scheduled to appear in court on April 29.

A history of abuse ran in the relationship between the two, and Johnson has previously been incarcerated 5 times for assault, burglary, drugs and other charges.

The body of the elderly man who was found in the Scioto River the same day was determined to be Raymond Solomon, 62. Police say the deaths aren’t connected, and Solomon’s death does not appear to be suspicious.

4/19/16: Two bodies found near Scioto River within 24 hours

Just under three weeks after the body of missing 26-year-old Joey LaBute was discovered in the Scioto River, two more bodies were discovered within 24 hours of each other.

Last night at about 7:10 p.m. a man described as an elderly black male wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans was pulled from the Scioto River near COSI after being spotted floating in debris by some kayakers.

This morning the body of a homeless woman was discovered near Miranova Place at about 7:30 a.m. this morning after another homeless person called 911.

Officers are still investigating both cases, and are not sure if the two are connected.

UPDATE: The identity of the woman has been found, but not released. Her death is being treated as a homicide and an arrest has been made in connection with her case.

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