The Delaney Park Murder: When Home Renovation Revealed Deadly Secrets
In April 2018, a major renovation project in Orlando's historic Delaney Park neighborhood became the backdrop for tragedy. The 4,000-square-foot house on East Copeland Drive, complete with a pool and garage apartment, had been stripped down to its bare bones—essentially a giant shoebox with only two inches of stucco holding up the structure. This extensive demolition represented more than just a challenging renovation; it became the centerpiece of a developing crisis.
The property's owners, David Tronis and his wife Shanti Cooper, had a complicated relationship with the house and with each other. While Shanti funded the renovation costs reaching nearly $4 million, her name was absent from the property deed, which David had placed in a trust for himself and his mother. This financial arrangement created significant tension as the couple found themselves living separately within the property—Shanti working and sleeping in the garage apartment while David stayed downstairs with the dogs.
Key Takeaways
A beautiful Delaney Park home became the focal point of tension between Shanti Cooper and David Tronis during an extensive renovation project.
Despite funding the nearly $4 million renovation, Shanti's name was not on the property deed, which David had placed in a trust for himself and his mother.
The deteriorating living situation preceded a tragic outcome when Shanti was found dead in April 2018, leading to a criminal investigation.
The Florida Residence
Physical Features and Issues
The Florida residence spanned an impressive 4,000 square feet, complete with a swimming pool and a garage apartment. While the property appeared magnificent on the surface, it harbored functional limitations, particularly on the upper level. Several upstairs rooms were undersized and poorly designed for family living, prompting consideration for renovation work.
The house became central to David and Shanti's relationship dynamics. Located in Delaney Park, the property stood in a well-established neighborhood that had existed for over a century. This area, approximately one mile from downtown Orlando, offered an ideal family environment with excellent schools and abundant outdoor activities.
Renovation Difficulties
The remodeling project quickly spiraled out of control, transforming from simple improvements into a complete disassembly of the structure. When contractor Keith Ory first visited, he encountered a shocking sight—the house had been largely gutted, resembling an empty shoebox with most interior dividing walls removed. Upon inspection, an engineer discovered the alarming fact that merely two inches of stucco were supporting the entire structure.
Despite spending substantial amounts of money on the renovation, progress stalled significantly. By 2018, the main house had become uninhabitable, forcing Shanti to both work and sleep in the small garage apartment. The renovation challenges were so extreme that Keith considered featuring the property on his reality TV show "Zombie House Flipping," with filming scheduled to begin in May 2018.
David purchased the property for $675,000 in cash, placing it in a trust for himself and his mother. Though Shanti funded the nearly $4 million renovation efforts, her name never appeared on the deed despite her repeated attempts to be added to the trust—creating a significant point of tension in their relationship.
Meeting with David Tronis
David's Call to Aaron
Aaron received an unexpected phone call from David Tronis about a property in Florida. David explained that he and his wife had begun some renovations on their home and asked if Aaron could visit to assess the project. The 4,000 square foot house was beautiful, featuring a pool and garage apartment. However, some functional issues existed with the upstairs rooms being too small, making renovations understandable for many families.
David's call seemed routine, giving no indication of the shocking scene Aaron would discover upon arrival. The conversation was brief and focused solely on the renovation needs of the property. David simply requested Aaron's professional opinion on the work already started.
First Impressions of the Project
When Aaron arrived at the property, he was completely unprepared for what he encountered. The house had been dismantled to an extraordinary degree—something Aaron had never witnessed in his professional career. The interior was largely gutted, resembling an enormous empty shoebox with most walls removed.
The structural condition was alarming. An engineering assessment later revealed that merely two inches of stucco were supporting the entire structure. The level of deconstruction was not just extensive but dangerously excessive, creating significant structural concerns.
Aaron immediately noticed that this wasn't a standard renovation project. The property had become David's obsession, consuming his life and attention. The house stood as the centerpiece of what would later become a tragic story leading to Shanti's death.
Shanti Cooper's Final Days
Shanti Cooper had a seemingly picture-perfect life in Delaney Park, an established Orlando neighborhood known for its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent schools. However, behind the beautiful 4,000-square-foot home with a pool and garage apartment lay a troubled relationship that would ultimately lead to tragedy.
The Discovery and Death Scene
On April 24, 2018, at approximately 3:51 PM, David Tronis called emergency services with a disturbing report. He claimed he had returned home to find his wife Shanti floating in their bathtub, unresponsive. However, investigators immediately noted inconsistencies in his account. Shanti hadn't simply drowned—she had suffered extensive beating injuries that were clearly the result of violence.
The condition of Shanti's body told a story that contradicted David's calm demeanor. The severity of her injuries was impossible to dismiss as accidental, leaving officials with immediate suspicions about what had truly occurred in the home that day.
The Investigation Points to David
David was asked to come to the police station for questioning, where he remained for hours. Despite being the primary suspect, he consented to physical evidence collection, including:
DNA swabs
Fingernail clippings
A search of his person
During the lengthy interrogation, David maintained his innocence despite intense questioning. He portrayed their relationship as loving and happy, even as detectives confronted him repeatedly with inconsistencies in his story. "I don't have any explanation for the severity of her injuries," David stated during questioning, yet he never broke down or confessed.
The house itself became central to the investigation. Originally purchased by David for $675,000 in cash, he placed it in a trust for himself and his mother—notably excluding Shanti despite her financing extensive renovations. By 2018, their living situation had deteriorated dramatically. The main house had become virtually uninhabitable due to failed renovations, forcing Shanti to work and sleep in the small garage apartment while David reportedly slept downstairs with their dogs.
Keith Ory, a renovation expert from the TV show "Zombie House Flipping," had been brought in to rescue the property. He described finding an astonishing scene: "They had fully disassembled this house to a degree I'd never seen before. It was largely wide open, like being inside a giant shoebox."
Just days before her death, tensions were escalating. Shanti had spent years trying unsuccessfully to get her name added to the property trust, despite being the sole financier of what had grown into a nearly $4 million renovation project.
Interrogation of David Tronis
David Tronis went to the police station following the discovery of his wife Shanti Cooper's body on April 24, 2018. His initial 911 call claimed he had found Shanti floating in the bathtub, a story investigators immediately found suspicious given the extensive beating injuries on her body.
Voluntary Participation
David agreed to remain at the station for questioning without requesting legal counsel. He consented to various evidence collection procedures, including swabs, clippings, and a search of his person. Throughout the interrogation, David maintained a specific narrative about his relationship with Shanti, repeatedly emphasizing how deeply in love they had been.
The interview strategy appeared calculated, as David entered with a clear agenda. Despite facing increasingly confrontational questions about Shanti's severe injuries, he provided no substantive explanations for what had happened to his wife.
Question Techniques
The investigators employed direct confrontation methods during the interview, repeatedly challenging David's version of events. They directly accused him of murder, stating bluntly: "She was murdered. Someone took her life from her."
The interrogation became what one observer described as "a war of wills" between David and the detectives. Questions focused on several key areas:
Potential arguments between the couple
Issues related to their problematic house renovation
The severity of Shanti's injuries
Investigators specifically explored whether the troubled house renovation had contributed to relationship tensions, asking if "without this house, Shanti might still be alive."
Despite persistent questioning techniques and direct accusations, David did not break under pressure or confess to any involvement in Shanti's death. Some observers later criticized the detectives' approach, suggesting they had predetermined David's guilt before gathering complete evidence.
Their Journey Together
History of the Relationship
David and Shanti met online while David was living near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their connection began through internet messages and profiles, eventually developing into email exchanges. Shanti was quite taken with David from the beginning, as evidenced by a document later found on her computer where she described their relationship as an "amazing, magnificent, life-changing detour."
David had recently ended a long marriage when he connected with Shanti. Within months of their online meeting, he relocated to Orlando. The couple appeared happy to those around them, with David often displaying charm and affection toward Shanti in public settings.
In 2015, the couple moved into a home in the Delaney Park neighborhood of Orlando. This established community, located about a mile from downtown, offered an attractive setting with good schools and outdoor activities. They attempted to remodel the 4,000 square foot property, which featured a pool and garage apartment.
Financial Arrangements
The financial dynamics between David and Shanti were notably unbalanced. David purchased the Delaney Park home for $675,000 in cash, but placed it in a trust for himself and his mother. Despite multiple attempts by Shanti, her name was never added to the property deed.
Shanti served as the sole financial contributor to the home renovation project, which eventually approached $4 million in costs. She maintained a successful career running a lucrative financial software business from her home office, which provided the funding for these extensive renovations.
The renovation project became problematic when contractors discovered structural issues. After removing interior dividing walls, they found that only two inches of stucco were supporting portions of the house. By 2018, the main part of the residence had become uninhabitable, forcing Shanti to work and sleep in the small apartment above the garage while David reportedly slept downstairs with the dogs.
This housing situation created tension in their relationship, particularly as Shanti had invested substantial money into a property she didn't legally own.
Delaney Park Neighborhood
Delaney Park is a well-established residential area with over a century of history. This charming neighborhood, located approximately one mile from downtown Orlando, has become known for its family-friendly atmosphere and desirable location. The area features distinctive homes with character, including properties with unique architectural elements that have attracted buyers seeking both proximity to urban amenities and a strong community feel.
Real Estate Expert's View
Tara Stevens, who specializes in Delaney Park properties, describes it as an ideal location for families. "It's a wonderful community with abundant outdoor activities and an excellent school system," she notes. The neighborhood attracts residents looking for established homes in a mature setting, often with spacious lots and distinctive features.
Properties in the area can command premium prices, with some historic homes selling for significant sums despite needing renovations. The housing market here remained strong even when properties required substantial work, with some buyers willing to pay cash for homes with potential. One particular property on East Copeland Drive sold for $675,000 in cash, demonstrating the neighborhood's desirability despite the renovation needs.
Resident Security Perceptions
Former prosecutor Ryan Vesio, who investigated a case in the neighborhood in April 2018, found that residents generally felt secure in Delaney Park. During interviews with community members, no one indicated feeling unsafe or threatened in the area.
When speaking with friends and family members of long-term residents, investigators discovered no reports of security concerns. The neighborhood's proximity to downtown Orlando combined with its established community feel contributed to residents' comfort level. Most homeowners described feeling part of a close-knit community where families could thrive and children could safely play outdoors.
The neighborhood's mature trees, well-maintained sidewalks, and regular community events further enhanced residents' sense of belonging and security within Delaney Park.
House Renovation Nightmare
The Delaney Park residence at 218 East Copeland Drive began as a beautiful 4,000 square foot home with a pool and garage apartment. While structurally impressive, the upstairs layout had functionality issues with rooms that were too small for many families, prompting the owners to consider renovations. What started as a reasonable remodeling project would spiral into a disastrous situation that ultimately connected to a tragic outcome.
Failed Renovation Project
The home underwent extensive demolition that shocked professionals who later visited the property. When contractors arrived, they discovered the house had been completely gutted to an unprecedented degree, resembling "a giant shoe box" with its interior walls removed. The structural integrity had been severely compromised, with an engineering assessment revealing that only two inches of stucco were supporting the entire structure.
Despite Shanti Cooper funding the expensive renovations, the project became an expensive failure by 2018. The main house had become completely uninhabitable, forcing Shanti to work and sleep in the small garage apartment while Dave reportedly stayed downstairs with the dogs. The failed renovation created not just physical instability but financial strain as well, with Shanti investing significant funds into what was essentially Dave's property.
Professional Restoration Attempts
Keith Ory, a renovation expert featured on a reality television program called "Zombie House Flipping," was contacted to salvage the disastrous renovation. The show specialized in transforming severely damaged properties—called "zombie houses"—into livable homes again. When Ory first inspected the property, he immediately recognized serious structural concerns and stepped outside to assess the situation.
Rather than abandoning the challenging project, Ory began reinforcing the interior structure. The production team planned to feature the house in an upcoming season, with filming scheduled to begin in early May 2018. During the final pre-production meeting in mid-April, Ory noticed tension between the couple—Shanti left immediately after giving her approval, appearing visibly frustrated with Dave.
This meeting occurred just days before the tragic events that would follow, highlighting how the house had become a significant source of conflict between the couple. The renovation disaster represented more than just a construction problem—it symbolized deeper relationship issues and financial control dynamics that were reaching a breaking point.
Shanti's Life Pursuits and Future Plans
Professional Life and Parenting Responsibilities
Shanti established herself as a highly successful entrepreneur, developing a profitable financial software company that she operated from her home office. Her business acumen allowed her to generate substantial income, which she later invested heavily in home renovation projects. As a devoted mother, Shanti maintained joint custody arrangements for her 8-year-old son Jackson with her former husband Jim Cooper following their 2013 divorce. Jackson represented the central focus of her life, with those who knew her describing her as deeply committed to her son's wellbeing and happiness.
Before meeting David, Shanti had created a stable life focused on her business and parenting. Her professional achievements demonstrated her intelligence and work ethic, traits that earned her respect in her field. The balanced arrangement with her ex-husband allowed her to maintain her career while being an active parent.
Deep Connection to the Residence
The 4,000-square-foot property in Delaney Park represented much more than just a dwelling for Shanti—it symbolized stability and permanence in her life. Despite contributing significantly to the extensive renovations, estimated at nearly $4 million, Shanti's name remained absent from the property deed, which David had placed in a trust for himself and his mother.
For years, Shanti attempted unsuccessfully to have her name added to the trust owning the home. This situation became increasingly frustrating as she continued funding the seemingly endless renovation project while living in cramped quarters above the garage, separated from the main living space that had been reduced to an open shell during construction. The property issues escalated tensions between the couple, particularly as Shanti sought the security of formal ownership to match her financial investment in what had essentially become David's house.
By April 2018, the situation had reached a critical point, with Shanti showing visible frustration during meetings with contractors. The house that should have represented their shared future instead became a source of significant stress and conflict.
The Relationship with Relatives
Shanti Cooper-Tronnes developed meaningful connections with her extended family during her relationship with David Tronnes. Cindy and Dan, Shanti's relatives by marriage, initially harbored reservations about David. Their perspective shifted significantly over time, especially for Cindy who stated, "I love her so I grew to love him. We absolutely adored him."
David's charm played a role in winning over family members. During their first lunch together, he made a memorable impression when he walked in and said, "How lucky am I? I get to have lunch with two of the most beautiful women that I know." This charismatic approach helped integrate him into Shanti's family circle.
Family connections became increasingly important as tensions developed in the relationship. While relatives grew to accept David, underlying issues in the couple's relationship continued to develop, particularly around the troubled house renovation project in Delaney Park. The renovation created financial strain, with Shanti functioning as "the bankroll, the sole bankroll" for the nearly $4 million project.
The deteriorating living situation affected not only the couple but also impacted family dynamics. Shanti was deeply dedicated to her son Jackson, who was 8 years old at the time. As one investigator noted, "Jackson was her world." Shanti shared custody with her ex-husband Jim Cooper following their 2013 divorce.
By April 2018, the living arrangement had become extremely difficult. While David often slept downstairs with the dogs, Shanti was working and sleeping in the small garage apartment, separated from the main house where extensive renovations had rendered it virtually unlivable.
Events Leading to the Incident
Opposing Visions for the Property
The renovation project became a source of increasing tension as time progressed. Jacob wanted to modernize the entire structure with an open floor plan and contemporary fixtures. Shanti, however, felt strongly about preserving the home's historical elements and character.
Their disagreements intensified during planning meetings with contractors. When presented with material samples, Jacob consistently selected sleek, minimalist options while Shanti advocated for more traditional choices that matched the home's original style.
The property's future remained unresolved even after multiple attempts at compromise. Neither party was willing to significantly alter their vision, creating an impasse that affected all renovation decisions.
Shanti's Last Involvement with the Project
On March 28, 2025, Shanti visited the property for what would be her final inspection. She documented several issues with the recent construction work, particularly noting deviations from the approved historical preservation guidelines.
Her concerns included:
Unauthorized removal of original crown molding
Structural changes to the east-facing wall without proper permits
Replacement of period-appropriate fixtures with modern alternatives
Shanti immediately contacted the historical preservation board to report these violations. She also sent an urgent email to Jacob requesting an immediate halt to all renovation activities pending review.
The project manager reported that Shanti appeared visibly distressed during this final site visit. She spent nearly three hours photographing the alterations and making detailed notes about each change that contradicted the approved plans.
