ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Albuquerque woman has been charged with the shooting death of her father after authorities said her claims of abuse did not align with evidence gathered during the investigation.
Summer Coughran, 28, is charged with open murder in the death of her father, Kirk Coughran, 65. Police said Coughran called 911 at about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday to report that she had shot her father at their home on Wildfire Road NW, north of Paradise Boulevard.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, officers arrived at the residence and found Kirk Coughran deceased from a gunshot wound. Investigators determined he had been killed approximately 15 hours before the emergency call was made.
During questioning, Coughran told police that she shot her father because he had assaulted her and claimed he had abused her throughout her life, according to reports cited by KOAT.
Police said Coughran’s statements were inconsistent and did not match the physical evidence at the scene. Investigators also stated she was unable to describe actions by her father that would have caused a reasonable person to fear for their life, according to KOB.
As detectives continued their investigation, they reviewed prior police reports involving the family. Those records indicated that Coughran had previously been accused of assaulting her father. One report also noted that she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and may not have been taking prescribed medication. In those earlier incidents, police said her father declined to press charges.
Court records further show that Coughran was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer on Dec. 24, 2024. Days later, another family member obtained a restraining order after reporting concerns for their safety due to alleged threats of physical violence made by Coughran.
Summer Coughran is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center as the case proceeds through the court system.
