Man convicted of killing his wife during fight over home renovations, then leaving her body in bathtub
10/19/2023 3:45 pm PDT
ORLANDO, Fla. (TCD) -- A jury convicted a 55-year-old man this week of killing his wife in 2018 because they got into an argument about appearing on a home renovation television show.
The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit announced Wednesday, Oct. 18, that David Tronnes was convicted of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Shanti Cooper-Tronnes, five years ago.
Tronnes beat his wife to death April 24, 2018, at their home in Delaney Park because of "a dispute concerning home renovations." According to the statement, Tronnes "spent thousands of dollars on renovations and had hopes of appearing on the reality television show 'Zombie House Renovations.'"
Cooper-Tronnes, however, did not want to appear on the show, which led to issues in their relationship.
They slept in different rooms during the renovation process. The State Attorney’s Office says Tronnes alleged he found Cooper-Tronnes dead in the bathtub after he was out cleaning and walking their dogs. Evidence, however, proved otherwise. Investigators said Cooper-Tronnes was beaten to death in her bedroom, then moved after Tronnes tried to clean the scene.
The medical examiner said at the trial Cooper-Tronnes sustained bruises on her eyes as well as other facial injuries.
When speaking with detectives, Tronnes "showed little remorse during his interrogation and never shed a tear over his wife’s death."
Orlando Police officers arrested Tronnes on Aug. 30, 2018.
Tronnes' trial lasted six days and the jury deliberated for about five hours before reaching their verdict.
According to WESH-TV, prosecutors said during the trial Tronnes cracked his wife’s skull, then strangled her to death. WESH reports Cooper-Tronnes' family did not want prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Tronnes.
Tronnes was sentenced to life in prison.
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