In the early morning hours of September 28, 2022, the life of 41-year-old Heather K. Cohick, a single mother and healthcare worker, was tragically cut short in her Williamsport, Pennsylvania apartment. Neighbors reported hearing loud popping noises followed by screaming at approximately 6:30 a.m., prompting a police dispatch to her residence on West Fourth Street. First responders arrived to a heart-wrenching scene. Cohick's two-year-old son was found wandering outside the apartment building in his pajamas, with blood on his clothing that was not his own. Inside, officers discovered Ms. Cohick on the floor of her first-floor apartment, having sustained two gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the homicide quickly led police to a suspect, Tyree Cleveland, a 39-year-old man from Berks County. The connection between Cohick and Cleveland began to surface when it was discovered that just three days prior to her murder, Cohick had reported her car stolen by a man she identified to police as 'James' or 'M,' which were aliases used by Cleveland. He had allegedly threatened her not to contact the authorities after taking her vehicle. On the same day as the murder, about six hours after Cohick's body was found, Cleveland was involved in another violent incident. He fired multiple shots at a Pennsylvania College of Technology police officer who was responding to a disturbance call. Cleveland was apprehended shortly after this second shooting, and two handguns were recovered from some bushes where he had reportedly thrown them.
Ballistic evidence became a crucial component of the case against Cleveland. Forensic analysis confirmed that one of the handguns recovered at the time of his arrest was the same weapon used to shoot at the police officer, and the other was the gun that fired the fatal shots that killed Heather Cohick. Further investigation revealed Cleveland's DNA on the murder weapon and on Cohick's apartment door. Cell phone records also confirmed that Cohick and Cleveland had been in contact multiple times leading up to her death. At the time of these crimes, Cleveland was reportedly 'on the run' from authorities in Reading for his alleged involvement in another fatal shooting.
In March 2023, facing a mountain of evidence, Tyree Cleveland pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Heather Cohick, as well as attempted murder for shooting at the police officer, robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm. During the court proceedings, details emerged about the final moments of Cohick's life. Cleveland claimed he went to her apartment over an issue with a car rental. He alleged that Cohick tried to grab his gun, at which point it discharged, striking her in the forehead. He then admitted to instinctively firing a second shot, which hit her in the chin area. Despite his claim that the first shot was accidental, he accepted responsibility for his actions. In court, Cleveland offered an apology to Cohick's family. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder, with an additional consecutive sentence of 20 to 40 years for the other charges.
