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Who are Wess Roley’s parents? Idaho shooter's mother once accused his father of violent threats

Wess Roley's mother, Heather Lynn Kuuipo Cuchiara, had sought an order of protection against his father, Jason Roley. The couple divorced in November 2015.

Published on: Jul 1, 2025, 03:36:22 IST
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New details have surfaced about the troubled family history of Wess Roley, the 20-year-old identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting of two firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Details of Idaho shooter's troubled family history have surfaced. (X and Reuters)
Details of Idaho shooter's troubled family history have surfaced. (X and Reuters)

Court documents obtained by CNN reveal that Roley’s mother, Heather Lynn Cuchiara, sought an order of protection against his father, Jason Roley, in 2015. In her filing, she accused her then-husband of abuse, stating he had threatened her, pushed her to the ground, and “punched several holes in the walls."

“He threatened to sit outside my house with a sniper rifle or burn my house down,” she wrote in the filing.

A judge granted the protective order, barring Jason Roley from contacting his wife or their son. The order was later amended to remove the son after Jason claimed in a court filing that he posed no danger and that Heather “did not tell the truth in her statement.”

The couple divorced in November 2015, when Wess was 10 years old. His mother was granted primary custody.

Wess spent most of his adolescence living with his mother in Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended high school. Last summer, he moved to Idaho to be closer to his father. According to his grandfather, Dale Roley, Wess had been working in the tree service industry and hoped to become a firefighter.

“He wanted to be a fireman – he was doing tree work and he wanted to be a fireman in the forest,” his grandfather Dale Roley told CNN. “As far as I know, he was actually pursuing it."

Also Read: ‘Wess Roley loved firefighters, wanted to be one’: Idaho shooter's grandfather reveals shocking details

Jason Roley

Screenshots circulating on social media from a Facebook account believed to belong to Jason Roley identify him as a former Army cavalry scout and a member of the Hooligans outlaw biker club. Unverified reports suggest he owns property on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, which is the site of Sunday's deadly ambush.

Heather Lynn Kuuipo Cuchiara

A Facebook account linked to Heather Lynn Kuuipo Cuchiara shows recent photos from a trip to Washington, D.C., where she posed in front of the White House wearing a MAGA hat alongside her current partner. Other photos show her vacationing in Hawaii with her son last year. In a May post, she wished Wess a happy 20th birthday, writing: “So proud of the man you've become."

  • Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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