A man found dead by an apparent homicide at his burning Woodland home would often fish on the Lewis River, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, which is trying to find anyone who might have had contact with the man while he was out, fishing or otherwise, earlier this week.
Donald William Howard, 62, was found Tuesday morning in his home at 2145 Dahlia St., when Clark County Fire & Rescue responded to a fire there.
The fire was quickly put out, and firefighters discovered a body at the scene. Authorities later found the fire appeared to have been set intentionally. The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office ruled Howard died of blunt-force trauma, and his death was a homicide.
Investigators are looking for anyone who had contact with Howard between Nov. 19 and Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office said Howard, who went by Donny, usually did his fishing near the Lewis River Fish Hatchery. He would go there early in the morning and often sold homemade lead fishing weights. He was also known to pick up cans and trash along the river and nearby road.
