Cole Jr. Pleads Guilty in Connection to Father’s Death
Zanesville, OH– A Zanesville man who plead guilty this week to five charges stemming from his father’s death on Christmas of last year.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office said David Cole Jr. entered the pleas to tampering with evidence, possessing criminal tools, gross abuse of a corpse, obstructing justice and endangering children. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 11 years. Judge Anderson ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will hold sentencing at a later date.
Authorities said on February 10, 2025 the Zanesville Police found the body of David Cole Sr. in a shed behind a home on Somers Street. During the investigation it was discovered that Cole Jr’s wife, Brittany, knowingly administered an overdose of medication, to her father-in-law. His body was left at the home 48 days before its discovery.
Interviews revealed that Cole Jr was not involved in his father’s care, leaving Brittany to manage his father’s Parkinson’s medication and daily check-ins.
Brittany plead guilty to the murder of her father-in-law and gross abuse of a corpse. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years.
