An Ohio woman has been sentenced for the murder of her father-in-law on Christmas Day before embarking on a family vacation to Orlando, Florida, leaving his body to decompose in their home. The victim, 80-year-old David Cole Sr., was discovered dead in a shed in a Zanesville, Ohio residence on Feb. 10, according to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office. Brittany Cole, his daughter-in-law, confessed on Feb. 13 to killing him, pleading guilty to his murder in December and the abuse of a corpse.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Brittany-Cole-Mugshot-030325-344391b554bd440da61f610813731365.jpg)
Brittany admitted to authorities that she had used her daughter’s dental prescription to administer fatal doses to Cole Sr. on Christmas Eve, which included three tablets of Tylenol, codeine, and a significant quantity of ZzzQuil. In a chilling revelation, she confessed to giving him more Tylenol and ZzzQuil later that night, knowing it would be lethal. She then found him dead around 5 a.m. the following morning, marking the completion of her plan, before proceeding with a vacation to Orlando with her family.
While the Cole Sr.’s remains were left to decompose in the bedroom, Brittany and her husband, David Cole Jr., allegedly exchanged messages discussing their plans to dispose of the body. David Cole Jr. reportedly ordered a mattress cover via Amazon Prime to wrap his father’s body before relocating it to the sunroom and eventually the shed, as detailed in the investigation. The couple also talked about “disposal plans” through text messages, suggesting a premeditated cover-up of the crime.
Furthermore, evidence against Brittany highlighted her callousness and premeditation, with a Google search on Christmas morning revealing her query: “when someone dies how long does it take for the body to start smelling.” The motive behind the heinous act was driven by money, as Brittany continued to receive her father-in-law’s $2,300 social security benefits even after his death, with her husband facilitating the unlawful transfer of funds to cover household expenses.
The story underscores the devastating impact of elder abuse and the critical need to safeguard vulnerable individuals. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle emphasized the importance of protecting such individuals in light of this horrifying incident. As a consequence of her actions, Brittany has been sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after sixteen years, ensuring accountability for her crime and the resulting loss of life.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk within families and the tragic consequences that can unfold. The callousness exhibited by Brittany Cole, juxtaposed with the holiday season and family vacation, paints a grim picture of betrayal and loss. The pursuit of justice in this case demonstrates the resolve of law enforcement to bring perpetrators of heinous acts to account and seek redress for the victims and their families.
The chilling details of this crime highlight the importance of vigilance and community support in protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly. The tragedy that befell the Cole family serves as a cautionary tale, prompting reflection on the need for empathy, compassion, and vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of our loved ones.