MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) — A nursing student has been sentenced to prison for killing her father-in-law, whose decomposed remains were found nearly seven weeks after he died.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office announced Feb. 26 that Brittany Cole pleaded guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of her father-in-law, David Cole Sr. A judge subsequently sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years.
On the evening of Feb. 10, Zanesville Police responded to a report of a dead body in a shed on Somers Street and found Cole Sr. wrapped in a tarp and plastic mattress cover. Authorities said his body was “in a state of advanced decomposition.” According to prosecutors, an initial autopsy determined Cole Sr. died of natural causes, likely heart disease or Parkinson’s.
During an interview with authorities on Feb. 13, the prosecutor’s office said Cole admitted that on the night of Dec. 24, she gave Cole Sr. Tylenol 3, which is a mix of acetaminophen and codeine, and a significant amount of ZzzQuil.
He reportedly said he was in pain shortly after, so she gave him another dose of Tylenol 3 tablets and ZzzQuil even though she knew it would be fatal. Cole found her father-in-law dead the following day and told authorities “her plan was complete.”
According to the prosecutor’s office, on Dec. 25, Brittany Cole searched online, “When someone dies, how long does it take for the body to start smelling?”
Investigators recovered the medications, which were from the defendant’s daughter’s dental prescription and household cabinet.
After the victim died, the prosecutor’s office said Cole hid her crimes and told relatives to say he had moved to Cincinnati. The family then went to Orlando from Dec. 26, 2024, until Jan. 1 to vacation while Cole Sr.’s body remained in the bedroom.
Around a week later, on Jan. 8, the victim’s son, David Cole Jr., found his father deceased while the defendant was at nursing school. Investigators reportedly uncovered text messages between the couple, revealing “their awareness of the decomposing body and plans to move it.” Cole Jr. allegedly purchased a mattress cover on Amazon, and the couple wrapped Cole Sr.’s body in a tarp and mattress bag before bringing him to the sunroom and then to a shed where his remains were later located.
Investigators determined the motive behind the concealment was likely financial, as Cole Sr. received $2,300 a month in Social Security benefits in an account managed by his son. After the victim’s death, the couple continued to receive and spend the benefits.
Charges against Cole Jr. are pending.
Prosecutor Ron Welch said in a statement, “Brittany Cole’s actions reflect a shocking betrayal of trust. She not only ended her father-in-law’s life but then exploited his death for financial gain, hiding the truth for weeks while manipulating her family.”