January 30, 2017

State Police Detectives Make Third Arrest in Missing Sterling Man Investigation

           On January 30, 2017 State Police detectives from Eastern District Major Crime took David Howard (dob 10/23/97) of 1012 Plainfield Pike Sterling, CT into custody for his involvement following the missing person, turned homicide, investigation of Todd Allen. Howard was charged with: Tampering with Evidence, Hindering Prosecution and Interfering with a Police Officer for his involvement in the stabbing death of Sterling resident Todd Allen.

            Howard was transported to Troop D – Danielson where he was fingerprinted, photographed and

released after posting $125,000.00 bond.  Howard is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on February 10, 2017.

            On December 26, 2016 at approximately 7:40 p.m. Troopers from Troop D-Danielson responded to 42 Dixon Road in Sterling for a reported missing person.

Todd Allen was reported to have left his Dixon Road residence on a red Honda XR100 dirt bike, alone at approximately 1:00 p.m., to ride on local trails as he commonly does.  Allen’s dirt bike does not have a headlight therefore he was expected to return home before dark.

            Troopers initiated an investigation, spoke with Allen’s family and friends, and began a search of areas he is known to frequent. Troopers also began searching along the Rails to Trails bike path in Sterling.

   Along with Connecticut State Troopers and State Police K9 Teams, Search and Rescue K9 Teams, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Sterling Fire Department, South Killingly Fire Department, Plainfield Police Department, Rhode Island police departments, Connecticut State Police Aviation Unit – Trooper One and several others assisted in the search for Todd Allen.

            On January 13, 2017 detectives located the remains of missing person Todd Allen in a wooded area in the vicinity of 61 Laiho Road in Sterling. The deceased appeared to have sustained multiple stab wounds. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a post-mortem investigation to determine cause, manner and time of death.