Orenthia Upshur sentenced

Orenthia Upshur, 52, received life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder of Maisha Coon, 49, who begged for her life before being shot in a Pennsylvania hotel room.

Murder occurred in Sleep Inn

Upshur killed Coon on Jan. 15, 2025, at the Sleep Inn in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, where they discussed relationship issues.

Coon was found dead in room

Police discovered Coon dead in room 317 from gunshot wounds after she rented the room the day before.

Shooting timeline

Upshur's relative reported the shooting to police around 5 a.m. after hearing Coon and Upshur arguing shortly after 12:30 a.m.

Investigation details

Cops found three shell casings and a bullet hole in the floor that went through to the room below.

Police response

Trenton police responded to a shots fired call around 4:30 a.m. before Upshur's relative reported the shooting at the police station.

Standoff and surrender

Officers heard more gunfire and saw Upshur running into a nearby home, leading to an hourslong standoff until he surrendered.

Upshur's admission

During a four-hour interview, Upshur admitted to killing Coon and told her, 'It's all going to end tonight.'

“It's all going to end tonight.”

DA statement

Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said the murder was a brutal act of domestic violence that robbed Coon of her life.

DA's sentencing

Khan stated Upshur will spend the rest of his days behind bars and can never harm another member of the community.

Coon's background

Coon was a hardworking caregiver for people in group homes who sometimes worked two jobs to support her family.

Family impact

Coon's daughters described her as the 'life of the party' and wrote that the home feels haunted by her absence.