Traverse City News and Events

Police Identify Husband, Wife Found Dead In Suspected Murder-Suicide

By Patrick Sullivan | July 2, 2019

Traverse City police identified the husband and wife found dead at Hotel Indigo Sunday afternoon in what investigators believe was a murder suicide.

Tyler Daniel Cole, 33, and Kaitlyn Lee Cole, 26, were found dead after police busted down the door to a third-floor room at 1pm Sunday, Chief Jeff O’Brien says.

O’Brien was not sure how long the couple had been married but said they lived on Barlow Street. O’Brien also didn’t know how long the couple had been staying at the hotel. He says there was no note left behind, and investigators do not know why Tyler Cole shot Kaitlyn Cole and then himself.

“I don’t know anything about these individuals’ personal lives,” he says.

Court records show that Tyler Cole had a minor criminal record. He was found guilty in 2008 in Grand Traverse County of attempted possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

On Sunday, investigators found what they believe is the murder weapon – .45 caliber Glock handgun – along with two other handguns in the couple’s hotel room.

O’Brien says as far as he knew, no one reported hearing gun shots, despite such a large caliber weapon having been used. Police only broke into the room after hotel staff reported that the guests had not checked out on time and that the room was barricaded. It was locked with a deadbolt and blocked with an ironing board.

Investigators hope to learn the time of death through an autopsy.

The death investigation unfolded just steps away from the center of the National Cherry Festival, which saw streets crowded Sunday afternoon for special events, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air show. O’Brien says officers had to be pulled from Cherry Festival patrols to assist with the investigation.

Comment

City Eyes Major Boardman/Washington/Cass/State Project

Read More >>

Annual TC Patriot Game Set for Friday at Thirlby Field

Read More >>

NMC Lands $630,000 Grant from the State

Read More >>

Prowling Ordinance, Attainable Housing District Headed to Commission Vote

Read More >>

Local Clerks Debunk Voting Misinformation

Read More >>

Candidates Square Off In 103rd State House Race

Read More >>

Traverse City Central's New 'Ride Lab' Uses Skateboards to Teach Physics, Business Skills

Read More >>

Garfield Township Approves South Airport Sewer Work, Townline Rezoning, Trail Projects

Read More >>

TC Man Faces Felony Charge for Threatening to Kill Prosecutor

Read More >>

County to Consider North Sky Lease; Funding Allocations to Support County Services

Read More >>

Rolling Farms Cafe Owner Indicted on Tax Fraud

Read More >>

Peninsula Trustees Address Center Road, Approve Fire Station Contract/Bayshore Event

Read More >>

NMC to Celebrate 45 Years of Rogers Observatory

Read More >>

TART Trail Along Parsons Road Could Reopen As Soon As Tomorrow

Read More >>
↑