Murder-suicide

Preliminary autopsy results indicate a double homicide last week in Gardendale was a murder-suicide.

“We got (the call) as a possible suicide attempt,” Sgt. Gary Duesler said.

A news release from the Ector County Sheriff’s Office states that Lonnie Ray Cooper shot and killed Cindy Jennings Cooper and then himself Thursday at the couple’s Gardendale home at 14525 Western. Details on the deaths are not being released.

The news release did state that Lonnie Cooper called a family member and left a message stating he had killed his wife and was going to harm himself.

Family members went to the residence and found both victims deceased.

Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson identified those family members as the parents of Cindy Jennings Cooper.

The time between Lonnie Cooper’s phone call and suicide is undetermined, Duesler said.

There are no suspects or pending arrests and a final ruling will be made at a later date by the Fort Worth Medical Examiner, who determines the official cause of death. The Ector County Medical Examiner, Duesler said, determines the manner of death at the scene.

Residents in the tiny community north of Odessa were shocked by the shootings.

Dalton and Tricia Jones live across the street from the Cooper residence. They came home from work Thursday to find the Cooper family members and authorities working the scene.

“It’s a real scary thing,” Tricia Jones said Friday. “This is Gardendale; this kind of thing doesn’t happen here.”

According to Dalton Jones, Lonnie Cooper suffered from depression after having a stroke.

A pastor who came to the Cooper home to be with family said Lonnie Cooper shot Cindy Jennings Cooper, Dalton Jones said.

A .38 caliber revolver was found at the crime scene, Donaldson said.

The autopsy results are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Funeral services for Cindy Cooper are scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at CrossRoads Fellowship Church in Odessa with the Rev. Kim Gray officiating. The family will receive visitors on from 5 to 9 p.m. today in the Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors Chapel.

Lonnie Cooper’s family visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today at Acres West Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Acres West Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Patrick Payton.