In the quiet, early morning hours in the Laveen neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona, a life full of promise was tragically cut short. On Sunday, October 11, 2020, 32-year-old Cooper Hoskyns was killed in his home. His death came unexpectedly at the hands of his roommate, 34-year-old Sean Bertz, in what police have described as a murder-suicide.
The events unfolded around 4:47 a.m. when Phoenix police received a 911 call reporting a fight between two men at the residence.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau. Hoskyns was found dead, having been fatally shot. Bertz was also present, suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
According to family members, the situation leading up to the fatal encounter was fraught with concern. Bertz had been living with Hoskyns and his fiancée, who were actively trying to get him help. However, he had reportedly gone missing in the weeks prior to the incident. On that fateful morning, Bertz surprised the couple by attempting to enter the home from the backyard. The sudden and unexpected confrontation caught Hoskyns and his fiancée off guard.
In the wake of this tragedy, family members remembered Hoskyns as a man who was at a particularly happy point in his life. He and his longtime girlfriend were engaged and had been planning to get married the following summer. His uncle described him as someone who carried a light and was deeply loved. Instead of celebrating a wedding, his family was left to plan a funeral, mourning the loss of a man known for his vibrant personality and his ability to bring laughter and love to those around him. The investigation into the specific motives that led Bertz to take his roommate's life and then his own is ongoing.
