Tiffany Cuin-O'ShellPOLICE OFFICER, WIFE FOUND DEAD
9News.com
posted by: Jordan Austin jordan.austin@9news.com
Updated by: Dan Boniface dan.boniface@9news.com
July 1, 2008
[Excerpts] A police officer and his wife, who were involved in a child abuse investigation, were found dead Monday in what investigators are calling an apparent murder-suicide... On Tuesday morning, police identified the victims as 36-year-old William O'Shell, a current Lakewood Police officer and his wife, 25-year-old Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell, a former Lakewood Police officer. "The men and women of the Lakewood Police Department are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of police agent William David O'Shell and his wife, former police agent Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell," stated Kevin Paletta, Chief of Police for the Lakewood police Department in a news release. Commerce City Police say they had taken the couple's 3-month-old daughter from the home on June 17 and began investigating William O'Shell as the main suspect for child abuse. They say the couple's baby girl had sustained serious injuries, including fractures, and add that they were getting close to arresting William O'Shell. According to the Commerce City Police's child abuse investigators, there were four suspects in the case, all of whom were relatives. Police say they found fewer than ten weapons in the home, however several of the weapons were near the bodies. Investigators say there are no indications as to whether Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell was armed or tried to defend herself... The Lakewood Police Department says William O'Shell was an officer with the Lakewood Police since March 2005 in the patrol division. They say Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell was an officer from April 2006 to September 2007... Adams County Social Services told our partners at the Denver Post that the couple's daughter is in foster care. Her condition was not immediately known. [Full article here]
William David O'ShellLAKEWOOD COP DEAD IN MURDER-SUICIDE WAS CHILD ABUSE SUSPECT
The Denver Post
By Kirk Mitchell kmitchell@denverpost.com
07/01/2008
[Excerpts] ...Police had taken a 3-month old girl from the house of a Lakewood police officer and were investigating him for abuse just days before he and his wife were found shot to death... The couple's daughter was taken from the home June 17. Authorities began investigating William O'Shell for abuse of the child, who had suffered serious injuries, including fractures... Authorities also are investigating who fired the shots, Sandoval said. Neighbors said the woman was on maternity leave from the Lakewood police department after giving birth to a girl about three months ago. "In a way it makes it even more shocking," said neighbor Kathy Martinez, commenting on the fact that the victims were police officers... She said the family kept to themselves and avoided contact with neighbors... Homicide detectives worked throughout the night at the scene collecting evidence... [Full article here]
GOD BE WITH TIFFANY & WILLIAM O'SHELL'S FAMILIES,EVERYONE WHO CARED ABOUT THEM,
& ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVOLVED IN WORKING ON THIS,
AND I KNOW I JOIN THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN LIFTING PRAYERS FOR THEIR BABY GIRL.
LOVE FROM FAMILY CAN STILL GIVE HER A BEAUTIFUL AND MEANINGFUL LIFE.
(HEAL LITTLE BONES, HEAL.)
WHAT'S HARD FOR ME AS I POST THIS STORY AND TOO MANY LIKE IT, IS THAT IN A MURDER-SUICIDE THE VICTIM OF THE CRIME GETS WRITTEN OFF, LIKE HE OR SHE IS GONE NOW TOO SO LETS MOVE ON.
ULTIMATELY, MOVING ON IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, BUT
THERE'S NO WRITING OFF THE
ONE WHO DIDN'T CHOOSE THIS
AND THERE'S NO TURNING AWAY
FROM THE HIGH RISK OF SUICIDE AND MURDER IN OFFICERS WHO ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR A CRIME OR IN THE PROCESS OF PARTING FROM A SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP.
WHERE'S THE FAMILY'S SAFETY NET?OR IS IT A JOB WRITE-OFF?
THE RISK IS KNOWN,
AND EVEN IF IT WASN'T,
IT COULD BE GUESSED -- BETWEEN
THE CONSTANCY OF GUNS,
DEMAND FOR INSTANT DECISIONS
AND SOLID SURE SOLUTIONS.
WE CAN'T FIX THOUGH, WHAT'S KEPT UNDER THE RUG.
TIFFANY AND WILLIAM'S DEATHS CAN MEAN SOMETHING
IF WE LEARN AND MAKE CHANGES FOR OTHERS.
LAKEWOOD COP IN MURDER-SUICIDE HAD CHILD PUT IN SOCIAL SERVICE CUSTODY
ReplyDeleteThe Denver Post
By Kirk Mitchell kmitchell@denverpost.com
07/01/2008
...Authorities began questioning William O'Shell in the abuse of the child — who had suffered serious injuries, including fractures — within the last few days... Lakewood police had been notified by O'Shell that he and other family members had been questioned in the abuse case but not that he was a suspect, said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman. He had not been placed on administrative leave, Davis said. Had he been identified as a suspect or arrested, Lakewood police might have initiated an internal review, he said. "It would have to be based on something like an arrest," Davis said. "Once he was arrested there would be a suspension or administrative leave." But even if O'Shell had been suspended he would keep his revolver, which is his own property, he said. Commerce City police have not said whether the murder weapon was O'Shell's service revolver... Authorities also are investigating who fired the shots, he said. Davis said William O'Shell began working as a patrol officer for Lakewood in March 2005 and did not have any reprimands. His wife began working for the department in April 2006 and resigned in September 2007... He notified his superiors about the child-abuse investigation 10 days before the deaths...
http://origin.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9752685
i knew OShell years ago... i am so confused, he was such a nice man.... something had to of went wrong inside his head. Pressure can get to a person.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the OShell family. and the daughter, i cant even comprehend that yet. what a sad day.
William O'Shell was a frequent customer at the restaurant I work at, and this was very distressing for all of us to hear about today. God is with the surviving child of this couple and will help her to heal. And only God knows what happened in O'Shell's head to trigger this sort of reaction.
ReplyDeleteOUT OF 12 PAGES OF COMMENTS ON 9NEWS THESE 4 STOOD OUT TO ME:
ReplyDeleteTheGoldenGreek wrote:
Don't jump to conclusions or make assumptions about a world you know nothing about. If you haven't walked in a police officers shoes or been close enough to one that you know what the job does to you inside and as a person, you should keep your negative comments to yourself...Especially at a time when families, friends and co-workers are grieving. I knew both these people and niether deserved their lives to end like this. It's a sad day for everyone involved. God Bless their souls.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=94862&catid=346
optimist22 wrote:
I think some of you are fools. I am a cousin of Tiffany O'Shell, and yes, this was a tragedy to the whole family. But you guys should seriously not jump to conclusions and say that BOTH of the parents abused the baby girl. I am starting to believe that her husband might have abused her, but I know for a fact that my cousin would not do such a thing.
I wish my cousin was not murdered, and our family is angry at William O'Shell, but they just couldn't handle loosing their baby girl. It's a shame.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=94862&catid=346
ss411 wrote:
As none of you actually knew this couple, I request that you stop bashing them and all who knew them. There were NO warning signs of anything amiss at all. This is a truly shocking and horrifying story, I understand that. But do not bash those that you do not know, or consider all LEO's the same. The people this man worked with on a daily basis and who have known him closely for years are more shocked than you, confused, angry, and hurt. The people he worked with know exactly what to look for, and there was nothing for them to go on. Also remember that there are only 2 people who can say what actually went on in that home that terrible night, and sadly, neither of them can shed any light on the situation.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=94862&catid=346
gogg9news wrote:
A very sad story. My prayers for the child and relatives. I think I'm a pretty good person. I've haven't committed anything criminal. So am I better than William? No. I'm sure, in other ways, I probably have rubbed people the wrong way, or even hurt them internally. I can remember actions I regretted afterwards. But I have hope the Good Lord will give me strength to ask for forgiveness (or even to forgive in a few instances), make reparations where necessary, and look above to a better tomorrow. It's sad when one thinks they're in a hole that's too deep for them to climb out of themselves. And I pray that a better and more hopeful future can arise from these ashes.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=94862&catid=346
Message from the Chief of Police
ReplyDeleteLakewood Police Department, Colorado
July 1, 2008
The men and women of the Lakewood Police Department are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of police agent William David O'Shell and his wife, former police agent Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell.
Agent O'Shell had been employed with the Lakewood Police Department since March of 2005 and was assigned to the Patrol Division of the department.
Former agent Tiffany Cuin-O'Shell was hired in April of 2006 and resigned her position in September of 2007.
The Lakewood Police Department will support and assist the Commerce City Police Department as they continue their investigation.
The thoughts and prayers of the entire staff of the Lakewood Police Department are with the families of agent O'Shell and former agent Cuin-O'Shell.
Kevin Paletta
Chief of Police
Lakewood Police Department
http://www.lakewood.org/index.cfm?&include=/headlines/2008OfficerDeaths.cfm
I also knew William and Tiffany, and lived near them. This has blindsided all of us. He was a very good officer. He was decent to everyone he came in contact with. If he's the one who did all this, it's like something just suddenly snapped.
ReplyDeleteBy coincidence, after so many years, I just looked up David's name online (hours ago!) with the intent of getting back in touch...and this article appears on my screen...unbelievable
ReplyDeleteO’Shell was in my platoon during basic training at Ft. Knox, 1997. I just found an old picture of us sitting on the back deck of an Abrams tank.
Later at Ft. Hood, though in separate units, we remained friends for awhile until losing contact.
David O’Shell was a very nice and a highly intelligent person. He even allowed me to stay in his Killeen apartment while I was secretly trying to live off post from the barracks. Dave was a fan of the band Rush. Also, I remember being shocked when he chose to re-enlist, because we used to make fun of the military.
It's hard to believe that David could partake in such tragedy. This incident saddens me deeply.
I wish their families the best through this hard time...and wish the best for the daughter. I'm sure she will grow to be as intelligent as her father.
RIP William David O'Shell
I knew Dave as well.... I met him in Texas near Ft. Hood. I googled his name because his number wasnt responding and he wasnt responding to Texts. To my horror this is what I found. Dave was very happy with his new baby girl and wife. I know this because he told me, anyone that has a problem with that can talk to me, I know what was in this mans heart. He was very happy with his life. The pressure must have been more than anyone could take.
ReplyDeleteI will miss you in this world Dave.
I hope that anyone who finds this reads the attached court document. The case is a lot more complex and terribly sad than one could imagine.
ReplyDeletehttp://co.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20110711_0004251.DCO.htm/qx
From a later blog post:
ReplyDelete"...Genetic tests were ordered. The results came back the day after the Cuins buried Tiffany: Alyssa had spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that prevents the muscles from developing. The diagnosis explained the 11 fractures on Alyssa's tiny body..."
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2008/11/co-officer-oshell-murder-suicide-update.html
[CO] Parents of former Lakewood police officer Tiffany O'Shell hope to keep another tragedy from happening
ReplyDeletehttp://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2012/04/co-parents-of-former-lakewood-police.html