Lori Coward, a 54-year-old woman, was tragically killed on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Florence, South Carolina. The incident occurred on DuPont Drive at a property that she and her husband managed. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine the precise cause of death, which is being investigated as a homicide.
Initially, law enforcement was led to believe that an unknown assailant was responsible for the shooting.
Lori's husband, Marty Coward, 55, called 911 and reported that both he and his wife had been shot by a man on a bicycle who was wearing a hoodie and a backpack. This prompted a search for the described individual, and a man matching the description was located nearby and detained. However, the investigation soon took a dramatic turn.
Authorities determined that Marty Coward had filed a false police report and was, in fact, the person who shot his wife. He also sustained a gunshot wound, which is believed to have been self-inflicted in what has been described as a failed murder-suicide attempt. The man on the bicycle who was initially detained was later charged with unrelated offenses, including financial fraud, trespassing, and receiving stolen goods.
Marty Coward has been arrested and is facing charges for the murder of his wife, Lori Coward. He was denied bond at his initial court appearance. As the investigation continues, a motive for the shooting has not yet been publicly released by detectives. Lori was born in Georgetown County, South Carolina, and was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School. She was known for her warm and kind spirit, and had worked for Anderson Brothers Bank and in Food Service for Florence School District 5. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished her family and was an avid fan of the Carolina Gamecocks.
