Urbandale home invasion victim woke up to find man strangling him, says widow

Before a violent break-in brought devastation into their lives, 77-year-old Robert Howe was living in Urbandale with his wife, Marilyn Howe.

The two were married for nearly 60 years, according to his obituary. He enjoyed spending time with his great-granddaughters and had welcomed a great-grandson into his life just a few days before a teenager allegedly attacked him, his widow said.

“For a man who loved to tell jokes and play with his grandchildren, the realization that his body would never recover was difficult,” Marilyn said.

On Monday, Robert, also known by “Bob,” died at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Officials are awaiting results from an autopsy to determine what caused his death.

Marilyn is positive his death resulted from his injuries during the home invasion.

Early in the morning on Sept. 3, Robert woke up in his home at the 6300 block of Urbandale Avenue to find someone on top of him, strangling him, Marilyn said.

Magai Anai-Kur, 19, was charged with attempted murder, 1st-degree burglary, 1st-degree robbery and 2nd-degree theft in connection with the home invasion, according to police. The Polk County Attorney’s Office will determine whether any charges will be upgraded.

During the break-in, Robert woke up to find Anai-Kur strangling him with his hands around his neck, his thumbs on his Adam’s apple, Marilyn said. Anai-Kur then allegedly beat him on the head, resulting in Robert sustaining a broken jaw. The teen then allegedly put his elbow on Robert’s throat and stabbed him with the other hand.

Anai-Kur allegedly stole a car from the home, which was later recovered, according to police.

Most people initially thought the stabbing is what caused the worst injuries, but it was the strangulation, Marilyn said.

“His body was very depleted from what happened,” she said. “All that strangulation interrupted the blood to the brain and caused the stroke and damaged his throat muscles. He was never able to swallow properly.”

For a man who was passionate about work and spending time with his grand-kids, the injuries were difficult to deal with, Marilyn said.

Robert was part of Local 246, a union for painters. When he was younger, he had a full-time job but would work part-time jobs, as well.

Even in retirement, he still painted homes where owners refused to let anyone but “Bob” do the work, Marilyn said.

“He was extremely talented in his field,” Marilyn said. “He had a combination of artistic and technical abilities and common sense that made him outstanding in the things he did.”

Robert often told jokes and was often the life of the party. He was born in Dallas Center and kept up with friends there, Marilyn said.

He especially loved spending time with his great-grandchildren, including two girls who live in the area and another one in Illinois.

The two girls were in the home at the time of the invasion, staying with Marilyn.

Robert was often disappointed that he wouldn’t get to be with Greyson, his youngest great-grandson, like he was with his great-granddaughters.

“He always said, 'I’d never get to be able to play with Greyson like I did with the girls,'” Marilyn said.