Shivangi Sinha
In April 2018, David Tronnes called 911 to report the death of his wife, Shanti Cooper-Tronnes. During the investigation, police uncovered several pieces of evidence that eventually led to David’s conviction for her murder. As part of their inquiry, authorities also interviewed his ex-wife, Carole Tronnes, hoping to draw comparisons between his past marriage and his relationship with Shanti. ABC’s ‘20/20’ episode titled ‘A Killer Renovation’ includes segments from Carole’s interview and provides deeper insight into the events leading up to the crime.
Carole Tronnes Spoke Well of Her Ex-Husband During Her Interrogation
According to reports, David Tronnes met Carole on a blind date in 1997. Carole later shared that she found him attractive, intelligent, and saw potential in him as a life partner. Their relationship progressed steadily, and they tied the knot in April 1999. The couple settled in Minnesota and remained married for about 14 years. In a later interview, Carole described their marriage as happy and stable, and said David was a caring husband. She also recalled falling ill about a year into their marriage, experiencing frequent stomach issues, and said David would cook for her and look after her during that time. They eventually divorced on good terms in 2013.
After separating from Carole, David entered into his second marriage with Shanti Cooper-Tronnes in Orlando, Florida and married her in 2017. Just a year later, on April 24, 2018, Shanti’s body was discovered in their home, which was undergoing renovations. The suspicious circumstances led police to scrutinize David more closely. As part of their investigation, they revisited his past, including his marriage to Carole. Some of the latter’s friends alleged that she had once been a lively and cheerful person but had become noticeably more subdued during her time with David. However, when questioned by authorities, Carole attributed the change to her health issues, insisting it had nothing to do with their relationship.
Another aspect of the relationship that investigators examined closely was the health issues Carole had experienced during her marriage to David. Authorities suspected that the symptoms she faced bore striking similarities to those Shanti reportedly began experiencing after marrying David as well. This led them to consider the possibility that David may have allegedly poisoned both women. However, when questioned, Carole firmly stated that she had no reason to believe her ex-husband would do such a thing, describing him as someone incapable of that behavior. During the interrogation, when asked whether she had wanted children with David, she invoked her spousal privilege and declined to disclose such personal information.
Carole Tronnes Prefers to Stay Away From the Public Eye
According to reports, Carole and David Tronnes remained in contact even after their divorce. In the months following Shanti Cooper-Tronnes’ murder, it is alleged that the two spoke on multiple occasions, including discussions related to the ongoing investigation. During her interview with authorities, Carole stated that she did not believe David was capable of murder and was convinced he had not killed Shanti. Investigators found it unusual that she still shared a bank account with David, but she explained it was simply an oversight from when they were married and she had forgotten to remove her name. Additionally, she reportedly held a 1% stake in an LLC created to manage David’s estate. Carole has maintained a low profile since the case gained attention and has not spoken publicly about the situation. While the nature of her current relationship with David is unclear, it is believed that she continues to reside in Minnesota.
Read More: Shanti Cooper-Tronnes: How Did She Die? Who Killed Her?
