Dad Accused of Killing Daughter Because She Was Getting Bullied, Allegedly Wrapped Her in Pride Flag to ‘Honor’ Her

An Idaho man faced accusations of the tragic murder of his teenage daughter, allegedly attributing his actions to her experiences with bullying. Delbert Cornish, believed to be the adoptive father of the victim, confessed to authorities that he took the life of his daughter, Hope Cornish, aged 18. Hope, affectionately known as “Onyx,” was discovered lifeless in their Caldwell, Idaho residence on Tuesday, August 19. Law enforcement was alerted to the situation following reports of an armed individual in the home, identified as Delbert Cornish by the Caldwell Police Department.

Following the devastating discovery of Hope’s passing, Delbert was taken into custody in a nearby town called Mountain Home, as stated by the police. According to details revealed in a probable cause affidavit shared by Idaho News 6 and reviewed by PEOPLE, Delbert allegedly admitted to carrying out the violent act and revealed disturbing intentions to harm his family. It was disclosed that Delbert had purportedly been planning a tragic event involving himself and his three children for over a year. His calculated plan was disrupted when one of his children was reimprisoned a few months prior.

Reports suggest that Delbert was allegedly driven to such extreme actions due to his children facing persistent harassment and humiliation from his own brother, with whom they cohabited. The affidavit outlined instances where his brother reportedly subjected the children to demeaning names. Delbert recounted a distressing moment when he approached Hope’s door, and upon her opening it unexpectedly, he fatally shot her and observed her struggle for life for an agonizing 20 minutes. Following the tragic incident, Delbert allegedly wrapped Hope’s lifeless body in a Pride flag as a gesture he deemed as an “honour” to her.

The victim’s mother, Crystal Thompson, expressed disbelief at the unforeseen danger her family was exposed to, conveying fond memories of her beloved daughter. Honouring Hope’s vibrant personality, Thompson reminisced, describing her as spirited, stylish, kind-hearted, and affectionate. Delbert has since been indicted on charges of murder and aggravated assault, as indicated by online court records, omitting information regarding his plea. Efforts to reach his legal representation by PEOPLE were unfruitful at the time of reporting.

In the wake of this devastating tragedy, community members and those touched by the loss of Hope are encouraged to seek support if experiencing domestic violence. Contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visiting thehotline.org, can provide immediate and confidential assistance to individuals in distress. As details surrounding this heartbreaking incident continue to unfold, the untimely loss of Hope “Onyx” Cornish serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and support in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm.