Roy was found in his home, on his bed, in his clothing — boots and buckle on. It is unimaginable to his friends, and to some of his family, that this case has been documented as a suspicious death per the Texas Rangers file, yet the local investigation has not fully pursued the very suspicious timing and circumstances attached to this loss.
There has been an outpouring of concerns, conversations, and valuable information shared with those still searching for answers. An independent investigation is active. It is important to share what has been identified to date — to encourage more information and help fill in the missing pieces.
A Conflict at the Highest Level
Classification: Accidental
Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty, Incident #25-0405440. The stated theory is candles — yet the same report states no candle evidence was found.
Classification: Suspicious Death
The Texas Rangers reviewed the same evidence and documented Roy Cooper's death as a suspicious death. Cause of fire: undetermined.
Felony — Questionable Death
Texas Ranger Ronnie Hubbell, Company "B," opened a felony case for questionable death and conducted active investigation including pharmacy interviews.
The Origin & Cause Report Contradicts Itself — On the Same Page
Page 13 of the Origin & Cause Report, under Section 14 — Ignition & Fuel Sources — explicitly states in its written findings:
- "No evidence of improperly discarded smoking material was found within the area of origin."
- "No evidence of candles or any device/item capable of producing or sustaining an open flame was found within the area of origin."
Immediately below, five heat sources are listed: Wand Style Lighter, Tower Fan, Cell Phones, Lamp, and Wiring. The Tower Fan was ruled out as an ignition source. Then — below the original five — the word "candles" appears as an apparent sixth entry, directly contradicting the written conclusion just above it on the same page.
Those reviewing this document have noted the bottom portion of Page 13 does not follow the same visual formatting sequence as the rest of the report. The lines compress toward the footer inconsistently — raising the question of whether this word was part of the original report or added afterward.
Two Investigators Claim Candles — Zero Photographs Support It
Texas Ranger Ronnie Hubbell, in a written email dated September 25, 2025, acknowledged he personally saw candles on video and smelled them at the house — yet stated plainly: "I believe a candle caused the fire, but no we can't prove it."
Wise County Sergeant Michael Pacheco (Badge #26), in Confidential Supplement #7 filed May 20, 2025, wrote that he observed candle jar remnants and was told by firefighters there were "lots of candle remnants in the back portion of the home."
Not a single photograph from the scene investigation documents any candle remnants. People who knew Roy and spent time in his home say he did not burn candles. The Accidental classification rests on a cause the lead investigator admits cannot be proven.
Three Substances in Roy's System — One Unexplained
Roy Cooper's toxicology results revealed intoxicating levels of alcohol, Zolpidem (a prescription sedative), and amphetamines at the time of his death.
Zolpidem — Picked Up the Day Before the Fire, First Time in 2025
A pharmacy receipt found inside Roy's red 2014 Ram pickup by Wise County Deputy Jared Bratcher showed Roy purchased 30 Zolpidem tablets from Best Value Pharmacy, 800A Medical Center Drive, Decatur, TX on April 28, 2025 — the day before the fire. This was the first time this prescription was filled in 2025.
On June 19, 2025, Ranger Hubbell visited the pharmacy and interviewed manager Stephen Maddox and employee Jan Greenfield. Greenfield confirmed she remembered Roy at the drive-through window, driving himself, friendly and normal.
The pharmacy has since been instructed not to provide video footage or details about who signed for this prescription — not even to Roy's family. The Texas Rangers directly told the pharmacy not to release this information. This remains one of the most critical unresolved red flags in the independent investigation.
Amphetamines — The Lead Investigator's Own Words
"Why did he take other medicines that showed up as amphetamine? I don't know." — Texas Ranger Ronnie Hubbell, September 25, 2025
The presence of unexplained amphetamines at intoxicating levels in a man who died in a fire — classified as suspicious and questionable by state investigators — has not been publicly explained.
Anyone who was with Roy or spoke to him on April 28 or 29, 2025 is urgently asked to contact: info@roycooperfoundation.com
A Deed Transferred Without Knowledge — or a Notary
Roy's real estate — owned by the Cooper family for over 20 years — was in an active civil dispute at the time of his death. Roy discovered his deed had been transferred to his ex-wife without his knowledge and without any financial exchange. Roy confirmed personally that no notary was ever present, yet a notary stamp appeared next to his name on the deed.
A certified letter was mailed to the notary requesting her book of records. She has not been able to produce this after it was legally requested. This matter was before the courts when Roy died.
Following Roy's death, Shari sold all of Roy's real estate. Tuf Cooper — who carried two separate liens totaling nearly $400,000 on his own adjacent property — also sold his land. Both liens were released in early 2026, documented in Wise County public records.
Combined Value: ~$400,000 — Cleared After Property Sales
- Instrument #202601453 — First Financial Bank · 720 County Road 3051 · Released February 4, 2026
- Instrument #202604822 — City Bank/MERS · Loan $217,600 · Released April 3, 2026 · Filed April 6, 2026
A Policy Bound on Someone Else's Home
Months before the fire, Tuf and Shari Cooper arranged for a personal contact — Audra Deckard — to bind a property and contents insurance policy in their own names on Roy's home. Roy had not carried insurance on the property in several years.
The day after the fire — April 30, 2025 — Audra Deckard filed the first notice of claim with International Programs Group (IPG), third-party administrator for Accelerant Specialty Insurance Company. Shari Cooper called personally on May 1, 2025.
The insurance company's own Special Investigations Unit concluded that there was an open dispute on ownership and that neither Shari nor Tuf Cooper could demonstrate an insurable or financial interest in Roy's land or belongings. IPG requested Examinations Under Oath and supporting documentation. Neither complied. The claim has not been paid.
Reported Stolen Before the Fire — Then Claimed Lost In It
On May 14, 2024 — nearly a full year before the fire — Sharon Cooper called the Wise County Sheriff's Office from 698 County Road 3051 to report approximately 15 saddles stolen from the barn. The deputy confirmed an active civil dispute over the barn. Sharon was never able to provide proper documentation to support the theft. Notably, photos identify Clif Cooper's wife and his mother-in-law at the barn the same day the theft was reported.
After the fire, Shari and Tuf submitted an insurance contents claim listing 8 trophy saddles valued at $47,440 as personal property lost in the fire.
If anyone has ever purchased, received, or has knowledge of a saddle that may have belonged to Roy Cooper, please send a photo and documentation of how it came into your possession to: info@roycooperfoundation.com
35 Calls to Service — A Pattern of Escalation
The Wise County Sheriff's Office Prior Results log for 698 County Road 3051 documents 35 recorded incidents — a sustained pattern of civil disputes, theft reports, burglary reports, and officer follow-ups, most initiated by Sharon Cooper, going back more than a year before the fire.
35 Total Incidents at Roy's Address
- 05/08/2025 — MEET OFFICER — Person of interest reported 9 days after fire (Lonell Chester)
- 04/29/2025 — Three FIRE-STRUCTURE calls day of fire; one active Incident Report, MED5 dispatched
- 02/06/2025 — CIVIL DISPUTE — Sharon Cooper (Offense Report) & Clint Cooper (Intelligence/Information)
- 11/19/2024 — BURGLARY REPORT — Sharon Cooper (Incident Report)
- 10/15/2024 — THEFT REPORT — Offense Report filed
- 08/30/2024 — OFFICER FOLLOW UP — Sharon Cooper
- 05/14/2024 — THEFT REPORT — Sharon Cooper — 15 saddles reported stolen (CFS #24-0504124)
One Called in Fear — One Was Never Asked
Lonell Chester — Too Afraid to Give Her Name
On May 8, 2025 — nine days after the fire — Lonell Chester called the Wise County Sheriff's Office stating there should be a person of interest who may have caused the fire. She refused to give her name out of fear for her safety. The call was referred to the Fire Marshal's Office. No public follow-up has been disclosed.
Bianca — Roy's Companion, Never Interviewed
Bianca was Roy's housekeeper and close companion who lived with him off and on for several years — one of the people who would most clearly know his routines, who had access to his home, and whether he burned candles. Texas Ranger Hubbell acknowledged in his September 25 email that he did not interview her. Her account has never been part of the official record.
If You Know Anything — Please Come Forward
Those closest to Roy are still searching for answers one year later. The details around the cause of this fire are being privately investigated. Your information — no matter how small — could be the missing piece.
- Anyone who was with Roy Cooper or spoke to him during the week of April 22–29, 2025 — the week of the fire
- Anyone with knowledge of saddles that belonged to Roy Cooper — send a photo and documentation of how the saddle came into your possession
- Anyone with information about the Zolpidem prescription picked up at Best Value Pharmacy, Decatur TX on April 28, 2025 — filled for the first time in 2025, the day before the fire
- Anyone who knew Roy's routines or who had access to his home in the weeks before the fire
It is important for anyone who was in Roy's presence the day before the fire to reach out.
All information will remain anonymous.