List of Bones Characters - Recurring Characters - Howard Epps

Howard Epps

Portrayed by Heath Freeman

Howard Epps (Season 1–2) is a serial killer, who appeared in one episode of Season 1 and two episodes of Season 2. Epps was introduced in the episode "A Man on Death Row", where he was a prisoner scheduled to be executed in two days, while his lawyer enlisted Brennan and Booth to try and clear his name. They were successful in delaying his execution pending a further review of new evidence; but the evidence was two dead bodies, killed the same way as the original suspected victim of Epps. Booth realized Epps hoped that they would find these bodies, as the execution would be delayed until it could be determined if he murdered the two as well (which he had). While in prison, he married a woman named Caroline, who knew he was guilty, but believed him to be a good person underneath it all. Most of his victims were blond teenage girls whom he bludgeoned with a tire iron. Unlike his victims, Caroline had brown hair and was about Epps`s age herself.

Epps' second appearance was in episode "The Blonde in the Game", where he is still in jail but has been directing a copycat accomplice, leaving clues for Brennan and the team to solve to lead them to the next victims. When Brennan and Booth corner the accomplice, Brennan is forced to shoot him to save the lives of Booth and the final victim. When questioned, Epps reveals the objective of "the game" was to force Brennan to kill. As Epps had planned, Brennan feels deeply guilty for killing the man; but she eventually comes to terms with it.

In his final appearance of the series, "The Man in the Cell", Epps escapes from prison by setting a fire and killing a fireman, stealing his uniform and leaving his body in his own cell with a broken wrist like his own. It is revealed that he had an IQ of 180 and that his mother was highly religious and would wash him in ammonia whenever he was around women she perceived as "loose". Over time, he developed intense love-hate feelings and would write to her almost every day from prison. After his escape, he becomes obsessed with Brennan, using mind games to make her feel like she was responsible for the deaths of his victims. He tests her and the rest of her team by leaving clues leading them to more victims, one of whom was his wife, Caroline. He also leaves traps in the clues, almost killing Zack and Dr. Saroyan. After being cornered in Brennan's apartment by her and Booth, he runs for the balcony and leaps off. Despite Booth's attempt to save him, he purposefully lets go of Booth's hands, slipping out of his grip and falling to his death.