MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A man who was found with the body parts of a missing Phoenix man in his vehicle back in 2022 has been sentenced to prison for 31 years, according to the Maricopa County Attorney.
John Cole was sentenced to 31 years in prison for the murder of Antoine Smith in 2022.
Smith was reported missing after sending several text messages to friends "indicating he'd been kidnapped by Cole in attempt to collect a debt."
Phoenix Police tracked Smith’s phone from Phoenix to Tucson. A ‘welfare check’ at Cole’s residence led Tucson police to discover suspicious items including cleaning supplies and a blood-stained shovel.
Cole's car was later found driving toward California and human remains were discovered inside the vehicle, Phoenix police said.
Cole’s phone was also tracked leading to his arrest near the Arizona/California border.
Cole then led detectives to a rural area near Tucson where more human remains were found. Cole claims he killed Smith in self-defense.
Police said Cole purchased several items after the victim was killed to assist in the dismemberment and concealment of Smith’s body.
Cole pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of abandonment or concealment of a dead body, according to the county attorney.
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