September 17th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Times News reports a Moorefield woman was found dead in a field near her home Wednesday, a short time after her boyfriend allegedly shot himself inside the victim’s vehicle in Staunton, Virginia as he was being approached by a Virginia State Police trooper. The body of Moorefield Middle School teacher Joy Coby, 45, was found during a search of a field near her home by the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department. She reportedly died of a gunshot wound. The discovery was made at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours after Coby’s boyfriend, Jared D. Connors, 47, reportedly shot himself in the parking lot of the Staunton Wal-Mart on Richmond Avenue. The two had lived together for an extended period of time, said Moorefield Police Chief Steven Reckart, a retired West Virginia State Police trooper. A small-caliber handgun — believed to have been used in both shootings — was recovered at the crime scene in Staunton, Reckart said.  Investigators believe Coby was killed before dawn on Wednesday.  Reports indicated Connors was in critical condition Thursday at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Investigations are continuing by the Moorefield Police Department with the assistance of West Virginia State Police and the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office. Connors was reportedly located through cell phone tracking by the Hardy County 911 emergency center.