So many just blatant lies trying to make Howard look bad for some reason. Howard said he would come (repeat x3 for some autistic reason) then says he's busy last minute? I recently rewatched a Tevin Back in Time where DSP was shilling the hell out of his last CT playthrough, he said Rambo would be there, and said he hoped Howard would be there, he's busy but he's hoping. Literally well before the event Howard had clearly told him he was busy.
Who else would have told DSP about the dude dying? Howard and John both mention no one in CT wanting to tell DSP, and I believe John then also confirms that no one else told DSP. Despite how truly scummy DSP was, Howard was still nice enough to let DSP know that someone he believed DSP may have cared about (jokes on Howard) passed, for literally no gain, and this is his reward. Truly DSP is scum.