Suspect in CJ murder captured
Lious Coffey, suspect in CJ murder
From our weekly issue dated March 5, 2008
Listed as her domestic partner, a man has been charged with murder in connection with the shotgun-shooting death of a rural Cave Junction resident.
The suspect is listed as Louis Grady Jose Coffey, 35. He was jailed by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) for the death of Shelley Marie Croft, 38, who lived at 221 Aries Lane in a motorhome.
It was unclear whether Coffey lived at the same address in an adjacent house, or in the motorhome. Besides the murder charge, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Click here to learn more about how you can tell us what you think
JCSO said that he was “in possession of a sawed-off shotgun at the time it was fired, resulting in Croft’s death.” He is a convicted felon out of Utah, said JCSO.
Croft, whom JCSO said was shot in her chest, died on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 21. Residents of the home at the Aries Lane address phoned 911 after hearing a cry for help. They found Croft lying on the floor at the rear of the motorhome.
Advertisement:
JCSO detectives, after learning of Coffey’s status as domestic partner of Croft, distributed flyers describing Coffey as a person of interest in the case.
On Wednesday, Feb. 27 at approximately 3:30 p.m., JCSO patrol deputies, assisted by Oregon State Police troopers, took Coffey into custody after a traffic stop. It was made on the north side of Selma on Hwy. 199 near milepost 16.
The suspect was a passenger in a vehicle. He offered no resistance and is cooperating with the investigation, said JCSO.
Those with information about the case can phone the JCSO Major Crime Unit at 474-5153, or the confidential tip line at 474-5160.
