Karina Cooper booking photo. Feb. 19, 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TAMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

TOLEDO – A rural Traer woman accused of murder remains behind bars on a $1,000,000 bond at the Tama County Jail awaiting arraignment which has been set for March 14.

Back on Feb. 19, Karina Sue Cooper, 46, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, a Class A felony, in connection with her husband Ryan Cooper’s 2021 death.

Following a 911 call in the early morning hours of June 18, 2021, Ryan Cooper was discovered dead at the home he shared with his wife west of Traer by a Tama County Sheriff’s deputy.

According to the criminal complaint, the deputy found Ryan Cooper lying in a recliner with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the front of his face, while Karina Cooper was allegedly observed to be sitting on top of her husband.

On Tuesday of this week, Karina Cooper’s arraignment was set by Judge Lars G. Anderson for March 14 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Tama County Courthouse in Toledo.

On Feb. 21, the Waterloo Adult Public Defender’s Office was appointed by the court to represent Karina Cooper. Attorney Nichole Watt of Waterloo appeared on Cooper’s behalf during the preliminary hearing this week, while Assistant Attorney General Michael H. Ringle appeared on behalf of the State of Iowa.

As part of this week’s proceedings, Cooper – through counsel – motioned for a bond review citing her “significant ties to the community,” and lack of assets with which to post the $1,000,000 bond.

Tama County Attorney Brent Heeren resisted Cooper’s motion to amend her release conditions.

In his resistance, Heeren stated that Cooper’s previously set release conditions were “necessary to reasonably assure the safety of other persons and the appearance of the defendant for future court proceedings, including trial and potential sentencing.”

Cooper’s first-degree murder charge is a Class A felony and the most serious offense under Iowa law punishable only by a mandatory life sentence without the possibility for parole or probation.

The investigation into Ryan Cooper’s death is currently ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Tama County Sheriff’s Office at 641-484-4111, or the Iowa Dept. of Criminal Investigation at 515-725-6010, or email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.