Topline: More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a Ross County mobile-home fire, her former friend faces homicide charges in a case investigators once closed.
Published: October 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Chelsea Cooper (Family handout)
FRANKFORT, OH — More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a mobile-home fire, her family’s pursuit of answers has led to a reopened investigation and homicide charges against her former friend, Chase Daugherty.
Daugherty, 38, was indicted in August on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless homicide. According to NBC4’s reporting, republished by AOL, court records tie the manslaughter counts to allegations that he committed aggravated arson resulting in Cooper’s death.
Cooper, 30, died on January 17, 2022. In two 911 calls shortly before 8 p.m., she reported hiding from three intruders inside the home on State Route 28, then said it was burning. A dispatcher heard a struggle-like commotion before the connection ended, according to NBC4’s May investigation.
Firefighters found her in the shower. Her death certificate recorded smoke inhalation and an undetermined manner of death; the sheriff’s office reported only fire-related injuries. Extensive damage prevented fire investigators from pinpointing the origin. They considered human action more likely than not, without determining whether it was deliberate or accidental. A dog also alerted to possible explosives, the fire marshal’s report said.
Daugherty told investigators intruders had fired shots and thrown incendiary devices, NBC4 reported. He described attempted entry through a bedroom window and said he threw objects at the attackers. Deputies reported finding neither bullet holes nor footprints beneath that window, and no objects matching his account.
Deputies arrested Daugherty for disorderly conduct that night, suspecting intoxication, then released him. NBC4 reported that he was already serving time for March 2026 strangulation and domestic-violence convictions when the homicide case brought him to Ross County Jail in August.
The investigation closed on October 10, 2023, after correspondence from the prosecutor’s office, a sheriff’s official told NBC4. Cooper’s mother, Angela Brigner, later contacted Melissa Sandberg, whose podcast, Dog With a Bone, began examining the death. Brigner praised detectives despite her frustration with the stalled case; supporters erected signs seeking justice.
The family and Sandberg helped bring additional witnesses forward before the case reopened, according to Scioto Post’s August report. Brigner remembered Cooper as generous and loved by those around her.
August reporting placed Daugherty’s bond at $100,000 and described an order barring contact with Cooper’s family.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Chelsea Cooper’s Family Seeks Justice After Former Friend’s Indictment in Fatal Fire
More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a Ross County mobile-home fire, her former friend faces homicide charges in a case investigators once closed.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
Chelsea Cooper (Family handout)
FRANKFORT, OH — More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a mobile-home fire, her family’s pursuit of answers has led to a reopened investigation and homicide charges against her former friend, Chase Daugherty.
Daugherty, 38, was indicted in August on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless homicide. According to NBC4’s reporting, republished by AOL, court records tie the manslaughter counts to allegations that he committed aggravated arson resulting in Cooper’s death.
Cooper, 30, died on January 17, 2022. In two 911 calls shortly before 8 p.m., she reported hiding from three intruders inside the home on State Route 28, then said it was burning. A dispatcher heard a struggle-like commotion before the connection ended, according to NBC4’s May investigation.
Firefighters found her in the shower. Her death certificate recorded smoke inhalation and an undetermined manner of death; the sheriff’s office reported only fire-related injuries. Extensive damage prevented fire investigators from pinpointing the origin. They considered human action more likely than not, without determining whether it was deliberate or accidental. A dog also alerted to possible explosives, the fire marshal’s report said.
Daugherty told investigators intruders had fired shots and thrown incendiary devices, NBC4 reported. He described attempted entry through a bedroom window and said he threw objects at the attackers. Deputies reported finding neither bullet holes nor footprints beneath that window, and no objects matching his account.
Deputies arrested Daugherty for disorderly conduct that night, suspecting intoxication, then released him. NBC4 reported that he was already serving time for March 2026 strangulation and domestic-violence convictions when the homicide case brought him to Ross County Jail in August.
The investigation closed on October 10, 2023, after correspondence from the prosecutor’s office, a sheriff’s official told NBC4. Cooper’s mother, Angela Brigner, later contacted Melissa Sandberg, whose podcast, Dog With a Bone, began examining the death. Brigner praised detectives despite her frustration with the stalled case; supporters erected signs seeking justice.
The family and Sandberg helped bring additional witnesses forward before the case reopened, according to Scioto Post’s August report. Brigner remembered Cooper as generous and loved by those around her.
August reporting placed Daugherty’s bond at $100,000 and described an order barring contact with Cooper’s family.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Chelsea Cooper’s Family Seeks Justice After Former Friend’s Indictment in Fatal Fire
More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a Ross County mobile-home fire, her former friend faces homicide charges in a case investigators once closed.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
Chelsea Cooper (Family handout)
FRANKFORT, OH — More than four years after Chelsea Cooper died in a mobile-home fire, her family’s pursuit of answers has led to a reopened investigation and homicide charges against her former friend, Chase Daugherty.
Daugherty, 38, was indicted in August on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless homicide. According to NBC4’s reporting, republished by AOL, court records tie the manslaughter counts to allegations that he committed aggravated arson resulting in Cooper’s death.
Cooper, 30, died on January 17, 2022. In two 911 calls shortly before 8 p.m., she reported hiding from three intruders inside the home on State Route 28, then said it was burning. A dispatcher heard a struggle-like commotion before the connection ended, according to NBC4’s May investigation.
Firefighters found her in the shower. Her death certificate recorded smoke inhalation and an undetermined manner of death; the sheriff’s office reported only fire-related injuries. Extensive damage prevented fire investigators from pinpointing the origin. They considered human action more likely than not, without determining whether it was deliberate or accidental. A dog also alerted to possible explosives, the fire marshal’s report said.
Daugherty told investigators intruders had fired shots and thrown incendiary devices, NBC4 reported. He described attempted entry through a bedroom window and said he threw objects at the attackers. Deputies reported finding neither bullet holes nor footprints beneath that window, and no objects matching his account.
Deputies arrested Daugherty for disorderly conduct that night, suspecting intoxication, then released him. NBC4 reported that he was already serving time for March 2026 strangulation and domestic-violence convictions when the homicide case brought him to Ross County Jail in August.
The investigation closed on October 10, 2023, after correspondence from the prosecutor’s office, a sheriff’s official told NBC4. Cooper’s mother, Angela Brigner, later contacted Melissa Sandberg, whose podcast, Dog With a Bone, began examining the death. Brigner praised detectives despite her frustration with the stalled case; supporters erected signs seeking justice.
The family and Sandberg helped bring additional witnesses forward before the case reopened, according to Scioto Post’s August report. Brigner remembered Cooper as generous and loved by those around her.
August reporting placed Daugherty’s bond at $100,000 and described an order barring contact with Cooper’s family.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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