Less than a week after her arrest, Brittany Lee Cole, 37, of Zanesville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to murder and gross abuse of a corpse. She was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 16 years, following a joint recommendation from the prosecution and defense.
Body Discovered in a Shed
Authorities found the decomposing body of David Cole Sr., 80, inside a shed on Cole’s property, wrapped in a tarp and a plastic mattress cover. While his death was initially believed to be from natural causes, an investigation revealed that a lethal combination of medications caused his demise.
On December 24, Cole gave her father-in-law two doses of ZzzQuil and Tylenol No. 3 (acetaminophen and codeine) within 90 minutes after he complained of pain. The next morning, she found him deceased but did not report it. Instead, she and her family left for a vacation in Orlando the following day.
Attempt to Cover Up the Crime
Nearly two weeks later, on January 8, Cole’s husband, David Ralph Cole Jr., 44, discovered the body in a bedroom. Rather than alerting authorities, the couple wrapped and moved the body into the shed in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Investigators uncovered several key pieces of evidence, including surveillance footage from January 8 showing David Jr. discovering the body. Text messages between the couple discussed the odor and disposal plans, and a Google search made by Brittany Cole on December 25 read: “When someone dies, how long does it take for the body to start smelling?”
Cole’s conviction and life sentence with parole eligibility after 16 years highlight the severity of her actions. The case revealed clear premeditation and an attempt to hide the crime, leading to swift legal action and a severe sentence.
