‘It’s A Tragic End To A Tragic Story’ Sentenced For Wife’s Death, Widower Commits Suicide

Daniel Edward Coe set fire to his house in an earlier apparent suicide attempt. He lived, but his wife died trying to save him.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in her death and faced a 10-year prison term.

On Sunday evening, the night before he was scheduled to report to prison, Coe had dinner with his children, then drove his truck off the ferry dock in this waterfront town 25 miles north of Seattle and drowned.

Snohomish County divers recovered the body of the 50-year-old retired telephone-company worker from Stanwood early Monday morning. Investigators in the medical examiner’s office said the death appeared to be a suicide.

“It’s a tragic end to a tragic story,” said George N. Bowden, Coe’s lawyer.

Coe had been granted temporary freedom to put his affairs in order and was supposed to report to prison Monday, said Jan Jorgensen, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.

Witnesses said Coe drove up to a barrier at the dock, lifted it and sped into the water, smoking a cigarette as the vehicle sank from view around 10 p.m. Sunday.

The truck landed about 20 feet from the dock and drifted about 30 yards south before sinking, Police Chief Mike Murphy said.

Coe was sentenced Jan. 9 to 10 years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. His wife, Debra Jean Coe, was burned to death after he set fire to their home in November 1996.