The Murder of Rowena Irani
For this case, I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 9 episode 3, titled ‘It’s Over. Move On.’
A young college student is found badly injured in her home.
Background
Rowena Irani was born on February 18, 1994, in Pakistan. Rowena’s family had filed for U.S. citizenship, and in 2004, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas. Rowena’s parents wanted a better life and education opportunities for Rowena and her older brother, Rooshad.
Rowena was described as being sassy, loved to be the center of attention, but had a bubbly and outgoing personality. She was also incredibly close with her family.
Rowena Irani
Rowena with her brother, Rooshad
Life Goals
When Rowena and Rooshad first moved to Kansas it was difficult for them to make friends, especially because it was 3 years after 9/11. They eventually made friends, and Rowena joined her school’s ROTC program and drill team. Rowena didn't want to join the military, but joined the program for fun.
In 2012, Rowena graduated from Wichita Heights High School, and enrolled in the psychology program at Wichita State University. Rowena and Rooshad both lived at home with their parents during college.
Rowena’s mom, Toranj, said she was incredibly proud of her for being so serious about her studies. Rowena also connected with a former friend of Rooshad’s, named Dane Owens.
Dane came from a wealthy family, and had been in the Army until a head injury that occurred during some kind of explosion. After he was placed on the reserves list, he studied at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
Rowena had transferred to Kansas State to experience the college life. Rowena had to return home to Wichita after 2 months due to a kidney infection.
A New Relationship
Rowena had expressed interest in Dane, but her friend, Courtney, said it was only a crush. Rowena and Dane would communicate on Facebook, and through text messages. They had met up a few times in Manhattan, but it was always as friends.
After Rowena returned back to Wichita, Dane would constantly ask how she was. They would make plans, but Dane would stand her up. Rowena texted Dane and said, “you can’t just leave and come as you want.”
Rowena turned her attention back to her studies. She had told her family that she wanted to earn her Masters in teen psychology. Rowena asked Courtney if she could do some experiments with her daughter to test how kids react in certain situations. Rowena was good with kids, but never was planning to be a parent or get married.
In May 2016, Rowena and Dane reconnected at Rooshad’s wedding. They started dating soon after. But, the relationship didn’t last long.
The Letter
Dane became obsessed, and told Rowena in a letter that he wanted to marry her and have kids. Rowena told Dane that she needed some space, which Dane respected for about a week.
After a week of leaving Rowena alone, Dane began to talk about marriage again. Rowena decided that she needed to end the relationship, and blocked Dane on all social media and messaging.
Dane couldn’t get into contact with Rowena, so he messaged Rooshad. Rooshad asked his sister if he needed to intervene. Rowena had said no, and joked that the worst Dane would do was shoot her. Rooshad had became a police officer, and didn’t find that funny.
Rooshad sent Dane a message, and said he would file a harassment claim if he continued trying to speak to Rowena. In the message, Rooshad told Dane that it was over, and he needed to move on, hence the title of the episode. The messages finally stopped, and the Irani family believed they had gotten rid of Dane.
The 911 Call
On October 3, 2016, Rowena never came to pick up her mom, Toranj, at the school she taught at. Toranj was dropped off by one of her co-workers.
At 4:10pm, Toranj called the Cedric County 911. Toranj had walked inside the family home, and found Rowena lying on the dining room floor bleeding.
When the police arrived, Rowena was breathing, but unconscious. She had a large contusion on her head. Rowena was rushed to the hospital. A CT scan revealed that Rowena had been shot in the head. Rooshad told the police that Dane Owens was most likely involved.
Back at the crime scene, the investigators found a hole in the window in the dining room. Rowena had been shot in the head with a .45 caliber semi automatic gun. The shell casing was found near the fireplace.
Rowena was pronounced dead on October 4, 2016.
Dane’s Story
Dane was located at his home. When he answered the door, he appeared drowsy wearing just shorts and an arm sling from having shoulder surgery.
Dane was told that something had happened to Rowena. Dane didn’t appear upset, and didn’t ask what that something was. He agreed to be interviewed at the police station.
Dane told the police that he was just a nice guy who always seemed to get fucked over. He said he didn’t mean for Rowena to get shot, but he went to her house to talk face to face.
Dane said he walked in through an unlocked door, and had the gun out so Rowena would take him seriously. Dane said the gun went off accidentally because Rowena had startled him when she came into the room.
Dane said he left because he thought Rowena was dead, and he was scared. He drove out of the neighborhood, and threw the magazine into a pond. He hid the gun near some rocks. They were recovered.
The police brought in a fake gun, and asked Dane to demonstrate how he held it. Dane claimed he had the gun concealed in his sling, but couldn’t position it in a way that matched the evidence. The police knew that the shooting wasn’t an accident.
The police interviewed several women that Dane had once dated or talked to. They all described him as verbally abusive, unstable, and obsessive. Dane would become attached to someone after just a few weeks.
The Trial and Conviction
Dane’s trial began on October 31, 2018.
Dane’s defense claimed that he had accidentally shot Rowena due to a medical condition from his PTSD. They said he had a reflex disorder that occurred when he heard loud noises. So, when Rowena startled him in her own damn house, he shot her.
The prosecution said Dane’s story of the gun being concealed in his sling didn’t match the evidence. They said Dane would’ve hit her in the stomach or waist area if he had accidentally shot her. They also said the shell casing would’ve ended up in the sling, not near the fireplace in the Irani home.
The prosecution also told the jury that Dane fled the scene after the shooting. He stole Rowena’s phone, and dumped it along with the magazine and gun. Dane felt rejected by Rowena, and no one else was going to have her if he couldn’t.
On November 6, 2018, Dane Owens was found guilty of felony murder. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, plus 43 months for felony burglary.
Dane Owens
Other
Rowena’s family had no idea that she decided to become an organ donor on her 18th birthday. Rowena’s liver, lungs, heart and liver were donated.
The Irani’s opened a psychology scholarship in Rowena’s name at Wichita State University.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rowena’s family said in the episode that Dane never gave Rowena a chance to live, so why would he get a chance for parole. I agree with this. It’s clear that Dane planned to kill Rowena, and deserves to rot in prison for life.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/rowena-irani-murder-where-is-dane-owens-now/
https://ourcommunitynow.com/post/murder-of-rowena-irani-by-dane-owens-featured-on-american-monster
https://www.ksnt.com/news/chilling-details-released-in-murder-of-wichita-woman/
https://www.kake.com/story/39677211/man-sentenced-for-killing-ex-girlfriend-in-wichita
