On the night of August 28, 2024, in the quiet community of Saint James, New York, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman and his girlfriend, 50-year-old Kelly Coppola, were tragically killed in their home on Brasswood Road. The male victim, a father of three, was pronounced dead at the scene, having been fatally shot while reportedly trying to protect his partner.
The events of that night unfolded when Daniel Coppola, Kelly Coppola's 50-year-old ex-husband, forcibly entered the couple's residence. Authorities have described the attack as a premeditated ambush, alleging that Coppola was motivated by jealousy and financial disputes. It is believed that he lured his and Kelly's daughter out of the house before carrying out the murders. Both Pohlman and Kelly Coppola were discovered in a state of undress.
Following the incident, law enforcement located and arrested Daniel Coppola at his home in Head of the Harbor. During his arrest, he reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts and was subsequently placed on suicide watch and held without bail. Investigators discovered a document in Coppola's possession that detailed his plans for the murders, further indicating a calculated attack. He later confessed to the killings.
Daniel Coppola has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. At his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty. The case is proceeding through the legal system, with family members of both victims present for the court proceedings, mourning the loss of their loved ones who they described as having found a second chance at happiness with each other. The community has since rallied around the families, setting up fundraisers to support the children of both Kenneth Pohlman and Kelly Coppola.
