Findings back murder-suicide theory

Coroner releases initial report in double shooting

Bill Scanlonand Tracee M. Herbaugh, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 2, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
Updated July 3, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.

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Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell

William O'Shell

Lakewood police agent William O'Shell and his wife, Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell, died of blunt-force trauma as a result of gunshot wounds, Adams County Coroner Jim Hibbard said Wednesday.

The findings were consistent with investigators' theory in the double shooting.

Commerce City police said the couple, found in their Henderson home on Monday evening, died in an apparent murder-suicide.

William O'Shell was supposed to talk to Commerce City police on Monday about allegations that he abused his 3-month-old daughter.

Social services officials recently had taken the daughter from the home, and she is living in foster care.

The final autopsy reports on the couple likely won't be complete for several weeks, Hibbard said.

Police have said nothing about whether the husband or wife was the likely shooter.

Neighbors say the O'Shells moved into the neighborhood, in the 11500 block of River Run Parkway, about six months ago.

They said they never heard loud noises from the house. In fact, they said they were struck by how quiet and private the couple were.

The Lakewood Police Department had not taken action against O'Shell regarding the child abuse allegations because two other family members were being interviewed in addition to the parents, police said.

"We wouldn't suspend or fire someone simply for being interviewed until they were named as a suspect or arrested for a crime," police spokesman Steve Davis said.

Tiffany O'Shell also had worked as an agent for the Lakewood Police Department but resigned last year.

• July 2, 2008

  10:16 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mtnsrfer writes:

  That's some mighty fine police work there Lou.

• July 2, 2008

  11:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  steel writes:

  Why was this cop allowed to stay in the home after he allegedly abused (broke several bones, according to the Denver Post) of his child during a domestic violence episode? The baby was turned over to social services, but he walked free. Had he been treated like a normal citizen, he would have been locked up immediately, and they would both still be alive. The police were going to serve an arrest warrent in "a couple of days". The people who decided not to arrest him on the spot share the blame for this tragedy.

• July 2, 2008

  11:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  T1anda writes:

  Steel..It's called preferential treatment!!

• July 2, 2008

  11:20 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Who_Me writes:

  Some people need to lose their jobs over this. Totally inexcusable that he wasn't arrested then and there - just like Joe Ragbag off the street would have been.

• July 2, 2008

  11:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncoRick69 writes:

  lol Joe Ragbag. Hey...thats my name.

• July 2, 2008

  11:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  steel writes:

  T1anda..."Steel..It's called preferential treatment!!"

  And accessory to murder.

• July 2, 2008

  12:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CincinnatiBowtie writes:

  They hadn't fully determined that he was the abuser, and the child had been taken out of the home, which is why he was allowed to stay. They were investigating four other family members. Also, don't necessarily jump to the conclusion that he killed her. A former policewoman who thinks her husband is beating their child could've easily been the one to pull the trigger... I guess we'll find out in the coming weeks. It's a horrible situation however it ends up.

• July 2, 2008

  12:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CDee writes:

  "and accessory to murder"
  Good point Steel- but rest assured- it will never go there

• July 2, 2008

  2:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mt writes:

  Are you kidding me! Do some of you actaully believe the words that are written in these posts. Do you actually think that police officers would cover up the abuse of a child to help out one of their own? You can't possibly be that ignorant are you? If you ever wonder why cops stick together on most things it is because of idiots like some of you posters that would hang a cop for jay walking. They should no better right? Cops aren't allowed to make mistakes, they are more then human, is that right? There is no way that any police officer would cover the abuse of a child to help a coworker. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. Why should the cop have been arrested other then the fact you don't like cops. What if it was his wife? This is why they remove the child and conduct a little thing called an investigation. Some of you are too stupid to breath the publics air. Stay at home and keep posting from your moms protected basement.

• July 2, 2008

  3:32 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  EZBakeOven writes:

  Amen mt!

• July 2, 2008

  5 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  justajob writes:

  Steel:
  Obviously someone reported or suspected abuse of the baby and an outside agency (Commerce City) was called in to investigate. No agency would investigate their own officer in a case like this. I am guessing there was not enough probable cause for an arrest or warrant being issued at the time the child was removed. As a cop, I can tell you most cops would never, never, never cover for "our own" for domestic violence or child/elder abuse. If I go to a call for suspected child abuse, the main priority is to get the children placed out of the home, and investigate the alleged crime(s). An arrest is not always imminent. I don't agree that the responding officers are to blame for this murder/suicide. Many people, apparently such as yourself, have 20/20 hindsight, and think you could handle situations better. I suggest you get yourself some schooling, and join us in the rank and file serving our communities.

  MT: Thanks for your insights. I have had a rough week, and sometimes it's nice to remember 98 percent of our society appreciates what we do.

  As the the families of these folks, my prayers are with you at this difficult time.

• July 2, 2008

  5:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fefe writes:

  hmmmmm were they legal on no good old boy's American's don't do these things huh, now what Clanorado's !!!!!!

• July 2, 2008

  8:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Alexandra writes:

  I don't understand the part about "died of blunt-force trauma as a result of gunshot wounds". What does that mean?
  They got shot and then hit their head real hard? Trauma from the gunshot, but wouldn't that be the gunshot that killed them?
  Did the gunshot kill them or "blunt force trauma"? I have never heard it put this way and am really just wondering.

  Alex

• July 2, 2008

  11:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Huskie writes:

  Not sure it matters who pulled the trigger. Both are dead and the little baby has no parents.

  justajob - most likely, the ER doc called the authorities about the baby's injuries. That's the law. The O'Shells lived in Commerce City. That's why that agency got involved.

  mt - you say cops wouldn't shield a child abuser within their own ranks. I would certainly hope you're correct. But I wonder if people everywhere used to believe that priests wouldn't shield child abusers - of course, we know that's not true either, huh?

  Truth is - cops police their own as much as possible. Same goes for most professions. Don't believe it? Try finding a doctor to testify against another doctor. Like Frank Sinatra said, That's Life. And that's exactly why people need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That goes for the all-too-many people that have been charged with the responsiblity of watching over our children - the case workers and the teachers and ...

  Oh, I almost forgot -- and the parents.

• July 3, 2008

  7:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  becket writes:

  I am not saying that this incident is the fault of the Lakewood Police Department but overall the public needs to look at the Chief and Command staff of the Lakewood PD. There have been several incidents in the past six months that show a lack of leadership in this Department. Chief Paletta, Div Chiefs Tovrea and Camper are way over their heads and the city manager desparately needs to look into this.
  RMN, Please look at the internal affairs incidents and just the overall lack of professionalism during a review and start the housecleaning from the top.

• July 3, 2008

  8:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  sheepherder writes:

  Alex..a gunshot is blunt force trauma. The lead round is the blunt force. Kinda like brass knuckles, but with gun powder behind them.

  The above posters have shown their ignorance, partially because of the RMN's crappy reporting. They were persons in an investigation, nothing more. Yesterday it was reported that he was supposed to be arrested Monday...FALSE! He was going in to talk with investigators voluntarily...nothing more. The kids broken bones are probably nothing more than a rare medical issue, but SS had to take the proper steps because morons like the posters would have yelled that they don't do their jobs..as usual.

  Sit back, breathe...and let the facts unfold. I think alot of you are going to feel pretty stupid...although you should already.

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