Teen Calls 911 as Dad Kidnaps Her and Murders Ex-Wife and Her Boyfriend: ADA
A 15-year-old girl in Long Island found herself in a terrifying situation, using her phone to call 911 and text friends and family after her father kidnapped her and later killed her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. On Friday, the father pleaded not guilty to the murders.
The girl called 911 on Wednesday, August 28, around 11:45 p.m., reporting that her father was threatening to kill himself with a gun, according to Suffolk County detectives. Just ten minutes later, her friends, unable to reach her mother, called the police, concerned that she had left with her father without permission.
A Deadly Night
Investigators revealed that Daniel Coppola, 50, drove to the home of Kenneth Pohlman Jr., 53, where he lured his daughter into his car. He then went back inside and fatally shot both Pohlman and his ex-wife, Kelly Coppola, 50, before driving his daughter back to his own home.
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Suffolk County Detective Kevin Beyrer said the girl was texting friends during the drive, expressing her fear and uncertainty: “I don’t know what my father did. I don’t know how my mother is.”
Police responded to the calls, arriving at Daniel’s home, where he was taken into custody for a psychological evaluation. Officers also went to Pohlman’s home, where they found the two victims and a gun. The District Attorney described the murders as a “premeditated ambush and execution.”
One neighbor admitted hearing the gunshots but didn’t call the police, saying, “It’s so quiet around here. Maybe I should have called the police, but you don’t think it’ll be gunshots.”
Murder Details Emerge
On Friday, prosecutors revealed more about the possible motive behind the killings. Daniel allegedly blamed his ex-wife for his financial troubles, and the couple was living in a $1.1 million home. Authorities discovered a document in Daniel’s house detailing his plans for the murders.
Assistant District Attorney Eric Aboulafia told the court that Daniel had written, “I am of sound mind, I know exactly what I am doing,” in a letter, confirming his premeditated intentions. Daniel allegedly texted his daughter to lure her outside before entering the house and shooting Kelly and Kenneth while they were in a vulnerable state.
According to Aboulafia, Daniel told his daughter about the murders after she heard the gunshots.
Love and Loss
Kenneth Pohlman Sr., the father of one of the victims, spoke about the deep love his son and Kelly shared. “Every year since Kenny and Kelly were together, he wrote her a love letter,” he said. “She framed them and got them mounted on the wall. They had pictures on the wall and a sign saying, ‘I love you more.’ They were in love.”
He continued, “She brought out the best in him, and he did the same for her. They had a second chance. My son lost his wife 17 years ago.”
Kelly’s father, Ken Pohlman, echoed these sentiments, saying, “My daughter has never been so happy in her life since she met Kenny. The joy radiated around her.”
Daniel Coppola is currently undergoing a mental evaluation following his suicidal statements. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and is being held without bail under suicide watch. His daughter is now in the care of family members.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.