On November 8, 2017, a quiet home in the 6000 block of East 20th Street in Tucson, Arizona, became the scene of a tragic event that claimed the lives of three people. Willa Coblyn, a 59-year-old Caucasian woman, was found deceased in a back bedroom of her residence, showing clear signs of trauma. Her life was taken by her husband, 49-year-old Rusty Coblyn, in what would unfold as a double murder-suicide. The violence did not end with Willa.
Later that day, at around 3:00 p.m., her 26-year-old son, Matthew Johnson, returned home only to be shot multiple times by his stepfather in the living room.
The situation escalated just after 4:00 p.m. when Matthew's twin brother arrived. He was immediately confronted at gunpoint by Rusty Coblyn. In a fortunate turn of events, the handgun Rusty attempted to use malfunctioned. Forcing his stepson to a back bedroom, Rusty retrieved a second firearm, which also failed to discharge. This provided a crucial opportunity for Matthew's brother to fight back. A physical struggle ensued, allowing him to escape the house and run to a neighbor's for help, bleeding from a head laceration and covered in abrasions.
The neighbor promptly called 911, reporting a man covered in blood screaming for help in front of his house. This followed an earlier 911 hang-up call from the area. When Tucson police officers arrived, they were directed to the Coblyn residence. As they were securing the area, a single gunshot was heard from inside the home. The SWAT unit and hostage negotiators were called to the scene, but their attempts to make contact over several hours were met with silence. A bomb squad robot was eventually deployed to enter the home, where it captured video of a deceased male in the living room. Unable to access a back bedroom with the robot, SWAT officers used another camera to find the bodies of a male and a female. Investigators believe the final gunshot heard by officers was Rusty Coblyn taking his own life. The case was determined to be a double murder and suicide, with Rusty Coblyn as the sole suspect.
