MENDOCINO CO., 5/24/17 — Kelley Coan, the homicide suspect sought by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the death of Jamie Shipman has been apprehended in San Joaquin County, according an announcement from MCSO. Coan “facilitated her surrender in that county, after contacting a private attorney,” and MCSO deputies were contacted by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, according to the recent press release. Shipman’s vehicle, which had also gone missing after her death, was also recovered. Coan is being held in custody there on charges of homicide with no bail.
A photo of Jamie Shipman provided by Paul McCarthy/Mendocinosportsplus.
MCSO deputies are currently en route to San Joaquin County to interview the suspect and arrange to return to victim’s vehicle to Mendocino County to be examined as evidence. Coan fled the county after MCSO deputies issued a warrant for her arrest in connection with the death of Jamie Shipman, who was killed on the morning of May 23 in Caspar in what appears to be a property dispute.
In a Facebook post shared by Mendocinosportsplus, the victim’s daughter Tawny Shipman thanked everyone who had shared information about the suspect while she was still at large. “”Thank you everyone for sharing the posts, articles and pictures of my moms car as well as Kelly Coan. As of 10 minutes ago she was found in San Joaquin and arrested for murder. I can not thank my community, friends, and loved ones for doing everything they could to spread the word. This by no means makes it right or feel better, but this is one step closer to justice for my (and probably yours too) mom.”
You can read the full press release below and see our previous coverage of the homicide investigation here and the initial search for the vehicle here.
**UPDATE**On 5/24/2017 around 5:15 PM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and was advised that suspect Kelley Coan was in custody in that county. Apparently the suspect facilitated her surrender in that county, after contacting a private attorney. The suspect had been in possession of the victim’s vehicle which was also recovered in San Joaquin County.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detectives are currently enroute to San Joaquin County to conduct an interview of the suspect and to make arrangements to tow the victim’s vehicle back to Mendocino County to be processed for evidence.
The suspect has been booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on one count of homicide (187 PC) and is being held on a no bail status.
May justice be sift. RIP Mrs. Shipman. Upmost condolences to you family.
Jamie is my first cousin. Though I have not seen her in many years, I am devastated by her senseless murder. What a tragedy. And will justice serve? I think not. Coan (who I do not know) will likely be charged with manslaughter, serve a few years while we give her three hots and a cot.
I’m completely disgusted with humanity.