Hope “Onyx” Cornish was found dead by police after they were alerted by her teen brother
An Idaho man who, authorities claim, confessed to killing his teen daughter says he draped her dead body in a pride flag to honor her.
Hope Cornish, 18, was found deceased in a Caldwell, Idaho, home on Tuesday, Aug. 19, by officers responding to reports of a 51-year-old armed man in the house, the Caldwell Police Department said in a statement.
The man was identified by police as Delbert Cornish.
The victim, who was not named in the initial statement, was identified by the Canyon County Coroner’s Office as Hope, per the Idaho Statesman, Idaho News 6 and KTVB. She also went by “Onyx,” per her family’s GoFundMe.
Delbert was arrested later that evening in nearby Mountain Home, Idaho, police said.
Delbert Cornish. Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained and shared online by Idaho News 6, Delbert allegedly confessed to killing Onyx and claimed he had planned to kill his son and himself as well.
Per the affidavit, which PEOPLE reviewed, Delbert allegedly began planning last year to kill himself and his three children, but the plan was thwarted when his eldest child violated parole and was sent back to prison a few months ago.
He told police he was tired of his children being bullied and “belittled” by his brother, with whom he, Onyx and his teen son lived. He further alleged his brother would bully the children with names such as “pedophile” and “loser,” the affidavit states.
On Tuesday morning, he walked up to Onyx’s door and was startled when she unexpectedly opened the door, Delbert told police, per the affidavit. He allegedly shot her in the head and watched her for 20 minutes as she gasped for breath.
He then wrapped her in a Pride flag as an “honor” to her because he knew it would be very meaningful for her, he said, per the affidavit.
Onyx Hope Cornish. Gofundme
Onyx’s mother Crystal Thompson says she never imagined they weren’t physically safe around Delbert, per News 19.
Onyx is being remembered for her lively spirit.
“She was a fiery one. She was just very stylish, and she was kind and loving,” Thompson told News 19.
Delbert has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to online court records, which did not indicate plea information. PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach his attorney.
Hope “Onyx” Cornish was found dead by police after they were alerted by her teen brother
An Idaho man who, authorities claim, confessed to killing his teen daughter says he draped her dead body in a pride flag to honor her.
Hope Cornish, 18, was found deceased in a Caldwell, Idaho, home on Tuesday, Aug. 19, by officers responding to reports of a 51-year-old armed man in the house, the Caldwell Police Department said in a statement.
The man was identified by police as Delbert Cornish.
The victim, who was not named in the initial statement, was identified by the Canyon County Coroner’s Office as Hope, per the Idaho Statesman, Idaho News 6 and KTVB. She also went by “Onyx,” per her family’s GoFundMe.
Delbert was arrested later that evening in nearby Mountain Home, Idaho, police said.
Delbert Cornish. Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained and shared online by Idaho News 6, Delbert allegedly confessed to killing Onyx and claimed he had planned to kill his son and himself as well.
Per the affidavit, which PEOPLE reviewed, Delbert allegedly began planning last year to kill himself and his three children, but the plan was thwarted when his eldest child violated parole and was sent back to prison a few months ago.
He told police he was tired of his children being bullied and “belittled” by his brother, with whom he, Onyx and his teen son lived. He further alleged his brother would bully the children with names such as “pedophile” and “loser,” the affidavit states.
On Tuesday morning, he walked up to Onyx’s door and was startled when she unexpectedly opened the door, Delbert told police, per the affidavit. He allegedly shot her in the head and watched her for 20 minutes as she gasped for breath.
He then wrapped her in a Pride flag as an “honor” to her because he knew it would be very meaningful for her, he said, per the affidavit.
Onyx Hope Cornish. Gofundme
Onyx’s mother Crystal Thompson says she never imagined they weren’t physically safe around Delbert, per News 19.
Onyx is being remembered for her lively spirit.
“She was a fiery one. She was just very stylish, and she was kind and loving,” Thompson told News 19.
Delbert has been charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to online court records, which did not indicate plea information. PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach his attorney.
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