Cole Jr. Sentenced in Connection to Father’s Death

Muskingum County- A Zanesville man will spend nine years in prison for charges stemming from the death of his father.

David Cole Jr. appeared before Judge Gerald Anderson and was sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to multiple charges including tampering with evidence, possessing criminal tools, gross abuse of a corpse, obstructing justice and endangering children.

Police said on February 10, the Zanesville Police Department discovered David Cole Senior’s decomposing body in a shed behind the family home. It was discovered that Cole Jr’s wife, Brittany, intentionally gave Cole Sr. a lethal dose of medications on Christmas Eve 2024. He died Christmas morning.

Rather than notify authorities of the death, Cole Jr and his wife concealed the body. Brittany was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years.