Danville Woman Died Of Multiple Gunshot Wounds After Shooting At House

DANVILLE, NH — The investigation is continuing into the death of a woman found due to fatal gunshot wounds inside her house on Back Road in Danville Thursday.

On Friday, investigators from state and local law enforcement agencies worked at the residence, set back and barely visible from the road. A state police cruiser, with two troopers inside, sat at the end of the driveway, which was cordoned off with crime scene tape.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit, and Danville officers worked at the scene and at the Danville police station.

After an autopsy was completed Friday, the victim of the shooting was identified as Denise Damato Coe, 59, of Danville.

New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Duval concluded that the cause of Damato Coe’s death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of her death was a homicide.

Friday afternoon, Senior Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Agati gave a brief update in front of the Danville Town Hall. He said this case was a very active investigation. Police were called to 48 Back Road late Thursday night and discovered a woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The investigation included locating the weapon used in the shooting.

Audio indicated a dispatcher told responding officers, "Taking a call for a past tense burglary, the caller said he came home, and the back window is smashed open. His wife and 20-year-old son are not there, and he is panicking.” The dispatcher relayed information to the officers that indicated they had previous history at the address and indicated, "There are several firearms in the house, but the caller is not armed at this time.”

Radio traffic from an officer responding from a neighboring town indicated, "Waiting in the driveway with the homeowner, going to make entry into the residence with Danville."

Approximately 40 minutes after arriving, officers at the scene said they were transporting the son and then, said they were transporting the father to the Danville Police Department. There was no mention made about arrests.

At Friday’s press conference, Agati said no one had been charged and the investigation was continuing. When asked if the public was in danger, Agati said there was no specific information that the public was in danger.

A woman who lives close to the 48 Back Road residence told reporters she heard multiple gunshots Thursday afternoon. She described it as pop, pop, pop, and repeated that several times. She said it sounded like seven or eight shots but indicated area residents weren’t usually alarmed because of the number of hunters in the area of the heavily wooded area.

Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance. Anyone else with information about this event is asked to please contact the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit at 603-223-3856, or via email at MCU@dos.nh.gov. People may also call the New Hampshire State Police Headquarters Communications office at 603-223-4381.

Patch will update as additional information becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news