Florida Man Found Guilty of Murdering Wife Despite Claiming She Drowned in Bathtub

Florida man, David Tronnes, has been convicted of first-degree murder in the brutal killing of his newlywed wife, Shanti Cooper-Tronnes, overturning his initial claim that she had accidentally drowned in a bathtub, per the NY Post.

Prosecutors presented compelling evidence, contending that Tronnes, 55, had beaten and strangled Shanti Cooper-Tronnes to death in April 2018 at their Florida home in the upscale Orlando suburb of Delaney Park, which they were renovating.

The case took a dark turn when Tronnes called 911, asserting that he had found his wife bleeding in a bathtub partially filled with water upon returning home from walking his dogs.

However, this narrative was swiftly contradicted by responding police officers who found the 39-year-old victim entirely dry, raising suspicions about the alleged accident.

During a subsequent police interrogation after his arrest in August 2018, Tronnes was accused by a detective of feigning grief over his wife's death and displaying "not a lick of remorse."

The prosecution asserted that Cooper-Tronnes had suffered a brutal attack, including a forceful blow to the head resulting in a cracked skull, as well as strangulation.

Tronnes then attempted to stage the scene as an accident by cleaning up bloodstains. The motive behind the murder, as presented by authorities, centered on financial and personal issues.

Why Did Florida Man Kill His Wife?

At their marriage, Cooper-Tronnes believed that Tronnes had inherited between $4 million and $6 million from his father.

However, after the wedding, she faced mounting bills, which reportedly led to arguments, Yahoo! Entertainment noted.

Furthermore, her reluctance to appear on the reality TV show "Zombie House Flipping," a project Tronnes was renovating their home for, appears to have been a significant source of contention.

Authorities alleged that this dispute over the TV show ultimately led to her murder.

Additionally, it was revealed that the Florida man did not possess the vast wealth he had purportedly inherited, and he had a hidden life involving encounters at bathhouses for anonymous sexual encounters with men.

Tronnes had previously pleaded not guilty and was deemed mentally competent to stand trial despite a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

'Zombie House Flipping' Host Testifies to Florida Man's Trial

The trial proceedings shed light on the couple's tumultuous relationship, which deteriorated as they experienced problems related to the home renovations.

The plan had been for Tronnes to purchase the house, with the couple living there and gradually completing renovations.

However, financial and marital tensions escalated when Tronnes ceased working, leaving Cooper-Tronnes as the sole breadwinner.

Their collaboration with the reality TV show became a source of conflict, requiring them to pause their renovation plans and leave the house in disrepair for an extended period.

This exacerbated their frustration, leading to further discord in their marriage.

Keith Ori, the host of "Zombie House Flipping," testified about a meeting he had with the couple about a week before the murder, according to toofab.

The victim appeared unhappy and tense, signaling her reluctance to participate in the show.

Ori disclosed that he had received a text message from the Florida man, David Tronnes, the day after the death of Shanti Cooper-Tronnes.

Ori recounted his response, expressing his lack of awareness about the situation and his desire to distance himself from it.

The trial proceedings highlighted the significance of the reality TV show "Zombie House Flipping" in the context of the couple's troubled relationship and the events leading to Cooper-Tronnes' tragic death.

According to the prosecutor, this show had been perceived as a lifeline to resolve the challenges they faced with their home.

However, it was revealed that she had grown disenchanted with the project just one week before her murder.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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