A quiet neighborhood in Lorain was the scene of a tragic incident over the weekend, as authorities investigate what they believe to be a murder-suicide that left two people dead inside a West 29th Street home.
According to the Lorain Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West 29th Street around 10 p.m. Saturday night, June 1, after concerned family members requested a welfare check. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of 63-year-old Anthony Coonrod, a recently retired sergeant from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, and 30-year-old Emily Simmons. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
In a statement released Monday, police said initial evidence suggests that Simmons fatally shot Coonrod before turning the gun on herself. No outside suspects are being sought, and investigators say all signs currently point to a domestic murder-suicide. However, authorities noted that the investigation is still active, and a definitive motive has not yet been confirmed.
Coonrod had recently concluded a distinguished career in law enforcement, retiring in September 2024 after more than three decades of service, most recently as a sergeant at the Lorain County Jail. He was remembered by former colleagues as a dedicated public servant and respected member of the department.
Simmons, on the other hand, had been facing three separate felony cases, including charges of felonious assault, with court proceedings scheduled for August. Despite prosecutors’ attempts to revoke her bond in December 2024 due to the severity of the charges, the court allowed her to remain free pending trial. Public court records do not clarify the nature of her relationship with Coonrod, though police confirmed that both individuals lived at the home where the incident took place.
A GoFundMe page established for Simmons’ funeral expenses noted her long-standing battle with mental health issues, though law enforcement has not confirmed if those issues played a role in Saturday’s events.
As loved ones and community members grapple with the sudden and violent loss of life, Lorain Police continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward. Tips can be submitted by contacting the Lorain Police Department at 440-204-2105.
Authorities say further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.
