Paul Cohrs was found guilty of murder for the shooting deaths of his 81-year-old mother, Bette Schulz Cohrs, and his brother Raymond in October 2018. The incident occurred following a long-standing family dispute between Cohrs and Raymond over conflicting ideas about the family business. Raymond, with the support of his mother, had decided to get appraisals on properties connected to the business, which led to a strained relationship with Cohrs, who was living in one of the properties in New South Wales.
Cohrs faced a 10-day trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court, where he denied murdering his mother and claimed he was mentally impaired. The jury heard that the relationship between Cohrs and his brother had deteriorated in 2012, leading to the fatal confrontation. On October 30, 2018, Raymond and a real estate agent visited the property for evaluation, where they were met by Cohrs at the gate. Cohrs then took his shotgun and fired two rounds into his brother at the shearing shed on the property before driving 120 kilometers to his mother’s home in Red Cliffs, Victoria.
After shooting his brother, Cohrs drove to his mother’s home and shot her in the chest one hour later. The tragic sequence of events shocked the community and highlighted the extent of the family dispute that ultimately led to the deaths of both Raymond and Bette Schulz Cohrs. Cohrs, a one-time deputy mayor of Wentworth Shire in New South Wales, was ultimately found guilty of murder for both killings, despite his claims of mental impairment. The court heard testimony about the strained relationship between Cohrs and his family members, providing context for the violent actions that occurred in October 2018.
The sentencing of Paul Cohrs for the murders of his mother and brother brought a sense of closure to the family and the community affected by the tragic events. With the trial revealing the details of the family dispute and the violent actions that resulted from it, Cohrs’ guilt was established beyond a reasonable doubt. The impact of the deaths of Bette Schulz Cohrs and Raymond left a lasting mark on their loved ones and the broader community, underscoring the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully and seeking help for mental health issues. The trial and verdict served as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved disputes and highlighted the need for support for individuals facing mental health challenges.
