COLUMBUS, Ohio — Authorities arrested 38-year-old Chase Daugherty on Wednesday after a grand jury indicted him in connection with the 2022 death of his former friend, 30-year-old Chelsea Cooper.
Cooper’s body was discovered inside Daugherty’s burning home on January 17, 2022. Investigators reopened the previously closed case following a recent push from Cooper’s family and an investigative podcaster, leading to the grand jury’s indictment.
Court Charges & Legal Proceedings
- Charges: Two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless homicide.
- Underlying Allegation: Court records show the manslaughter charges stem from allegations that Daugherty committed aggravated arson, which directly resulted in Cooper’s death.
- Bond Status: Daugherty appeared in court on Wednesday and is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
- Court Directives: Ordered to have no contact with Cooper’s family.
Chilling 911 Calls & Fire Response
On the night of the incident, Cooper called 911 twice, telling dispatchers she was hiding inside the home from men who had broken in. During the second call, dispatchers reported hearing a commotion, noted it sounded as though Cooper was “fighting something off,” and told deputies the line suddenly went dead.
Firefighters later located Cooper’s body inside the home’s shower. A death certificate listed her cause of death as smoke inhalation, though the official manner was initially marked as undetermined.
While the Ohio State Fire Marshal could not definitively determine the exact cause of the blaze, investigators noted it was “more likely than not” caused by a human act.
Daugherty was arrested at the scene the night of the fire after telling deputies that attackers had been “shooting and throwing fire bombs into the trailer.” Deputies believed Daugherty was under the influence at the time, arrested him for disorderly conduct, and released him shortly after.
Reopened Investigation & Family Advocacy
Although investigators initially closed the case in October 2023, advocacy efforts by Cooper’s mother, Angela Brigner, alongside podcaster Melissa Sandberg of “Dog With a Bone,” helped bring new momentum. Their efforts encouraged additional witnesses to step forward, providing the evidence needed to secure the grand jury indictment.
“She had a really big heart,” Brigner previously told reporters, remembering her daughter. “She loved everybody. Everybody loved her.”
