An Ohio woman pleaded guilty this week to killing her father-in-law with her daughter’s prescription narcotic pain pills and ZZZQuil, then keeping the man’s body hidden away in her home for weeks before a 911 call to Zanesville Police reported a dead body in a shed behind the house.

According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, Brittany Cole dosed David Cole Sr., 80, with Tylenol 3 with codeine and ZzzQuil at about 9:30 p.m. on December 24. When he complained of pain about 90 minutes later, she gave him more of both medications, “knowing it would be fatal.” And sure enough, she found him dead at 5 a.m. the next morning.

Cole, a nursing student, then instructed her family to say Cole had moved to Cincinnati, and her entire family left for a weeklong vacation in Orlando, returning to Zanesville on January 1. A week after their return, Cole Sr.’s son, David Cole Jr., found his father’s body in a bedroom and texted his wife. The two then wrapped Cole Sr.’s body in a tarp and a mattress bag, putting it first into the home’s sun room before transferring it to the she, where it remained until the 911 call on Febuary 10.

Police found the body “in a state of advanced decomposition,” as would be expected after it had remained hidden away for six weeks.

Investigators say there were some financial motives for the murder and concealment, as Cole Jr. and his wife continued to accept and use Cole Sr’s Social Security benefits after his death.

Investigators found security camera footage that showed Cole Jr.’s discovery of his father’s body along with his text messages about the smell and plans to dispose of the body. They also found December 25 Google search by Brittany Cole, who asked “when someone dies how long does it take for the body to start smelling.”

“Brittany Cole’s actions reflect a shocking betrayal of trust,” according to Prosecutor Ron Welch. “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.” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle added, “This case underscores the devastating impact of elder abuse and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals.”

Brittany Cole pleaded guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse on Wednesday and was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 16 years.

Charges against her husband are pending.

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[Featured image: Brittany Cole/Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office]