April 11, 2025 • 25 mins
A decorated war veteran, a deadly betrayal, and a chilling murder—this true crime case will leave you speechless. When Ethan Cole, a beloved Marine and classic car enthusiast, was found dead in his Mobile, Alabama home, authorities first suspected natural causes. But a shocking autopsy report revealed a sinister truth: he had been slowly poisoned with antifreeze. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a web of lies, infidelity, and a twisted murder-for-money plot involving his wife, Rebecca Cole, and her secret lover, Cody Reynolds. With forensic evidence, digital footprints, and a bombshell voice recording, the case unraveled in a gripping courtroom battle that made headlines.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to True Crime Case Files, where we delve into
real life stories of crime, betrayal, and justice. In this episode,
we traveled to Mobil, Alabama in November twenty thirteen, a
city rich in southern charm but hiding the dark secret.
A decorated war hero, Surgeont Ethan Cole, had survived the
perils of battle, only to fall victim to a betrayal
(00:21):
far closer to home. His death was initially believed to
be a tragic result of his injuries, but as investigators
dug deeper, they uncovered a shocking tale of deceit, greed,
and murder. Sergeant Ethan Cole thirty eight, was a decorated
Army veteran who had dedicated nearly two decades of his
life to military service. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama,
(00:42):
Ethan had always dreamed of following in his father's footsteps.
His father, Daniel Cole, had served in Vietnam and instilled
in him a deep sense of duty. After graduating from
Murphy High School in nineteen ninety three, Ethan enlisted in
the Army, quickly earning a reputation for his discipline and courage.
Over the years, he completed multiple tours in Afghaniston, receiving
(01:03):
commendations for his leadership under fire. His life took a
tragic turn in twenty twelve when an ied explosion severely
wounded him during a mission in Kennahar. The blast left
him with permanent nerve damage in his left leg, forcing
him to walk with a limp and endure chronic pain.
After months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,
(01:24):
Heathen was honorably discharged. Returning to Mobil, he faced the
daunting challenge of adapting to civilian life. Despite his injuries,
he refused to let his condition define him. He took
a job as a security consultant, advising local businesses on
risk management, and spent his free time restoring classic cars,
a hobby he had developed as a teenager working in
(01:45):
his uncle's garage. His dream was to one day open
his own security firm, and by a nineteen sixty seven
Ford Mustang, a car he had admired since childhood. Ethan
had married Rebecca Beca Cole in two thousand and nine
after a world when romance. They had met at an
Army medical center where she was working as a nurse,
and he had been instantly drawned to her warmth and energy.
(02:08):
After his injury, Rebecca initially stood by his side, helping
him adjust to life with limited mobility, but Ethan failed
to see the changes in her overtime, the resentment that
slowly crept into their marriage. By November twenty thirteen, Ethan
was focused on moving forward. He had started looking into
online courses in business management at the University of South
(02:28):
Alabama and had begun networking with other veterans who had
started security firms. He still struggled with pain, but he
remained hopeful. He and Rebecca had talked about starting a family,
and Ethan, ever the optimists, believed their best years were
still ahead. His love for Rebecca was unwavering, and he
trusted her completely. What he didn't know was that she
(02:49):
no longer felt the same way as he planned for
their future. She was making plans of her own, plans
that would leave him dead before the month was over.
Early on the morning of November fifteenth, thirteen, at exactly
six forty five am, Rebecca Cole dialed nine to one
one from her home in a quiet suburban neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama.
Her voice trembled as she told the dispatcher that her husband,
(03:12):
if in coal, wasn't breathing. She claimed she had woken
up beside him and found him unresponsive. Within minutes, emergency
responders from Mobile Fire Rescue arrived at the modest brick
house on Pine Hill Drive. They found Ethan lying motionless
on the couple's king size bed, his skin pale and
cold to the touch. The bedroom was dimly lit, the
(03:33):
covers neatly draped over his lower body. A half empty
bottle of prescription painkillers sat on the night stand beside
a glass of water. The scene appeared peaceful, no overturned furniture,
no signs of a struggle, and nothing that immediately suggested
foul play. Rebecca, still in her pajamas, stood near the doorway,
sobbing uncontrollably. As paramedics examined Evan, his pulse was gone.
(03:57):
His body had already begun to stiffen slightly, suggesting he
had been dead for several hours. By seven five am,
he was officially pronounced dead. One of the paramedics, familiar
with Ethan's medical history, suspected the complications from his war injuries,
perhaps a blood clot or cardiac failure, had taken his
life in his sleep. Detectives from the Mobile Police Department
(04:19):
arrived shortly after. Sergeant Ron Miller, a veteran investigator with
over fifteen years on the force, observed the scene carefully.
Something about it felt off. If Ethan had suffered a
medical emergency in the night, why hadn't Rebecca noticed anything sooner?
The bed looked too undisturbed for a man who had
supposedly died in his sleep. And then there was the
(04:40):
medicine bottle. Ethan had been on a strict pain management
plan and had never shown signs of overusing his medication.
As officers questioned Rebecca, she clutched a crumpled tissue in
her hand and kept repeating how much she had loved Ethan.
She explained that they had eaten dinner together the night
before while watching an episode of Ansias. She said she
had gone to bed around ten thirty PM, kissing him
(05:02):
good night as he took his evening pills. She hadn't
noticed anything wrong until she woke up at dawn. Ethan's
fellow veterans, some of whom arrived at the house after
hearing the news, were devastated the idea that their brother
in arms had simply died in his sleep felt like
a cruel twist of fate. But as detectives took one
final look around, they couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan's
(05:22):
death wasn't as simple as it seemed. By eight o'clock
am on November fifteen, twenty thirteen, detectives Travis and Daz
from the Mobile Police Department arrived at the coal residence. Travis,
a seasoned investigator with fifteen years of experience, had worked
countless homicide cases. He immediately took note of Rebecca Cole's behavior.
Her sobbings seemed excessive, almost rehearsed. She clutched a framed
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wedding photo of herself and Ethan, staring at it as
if on cue. Every time an officer passed. Dias, known
for her keen attention to detail, examined the bedroom carefully.
The nights then held an empty protein ship cup next
to the bottle of prescription painkillers. A faint, sticky residue
lined the inside of the cup, something that didn't seem
(06:07):
right for a simple protein drink. A nearly full gallon
of antiphrees sat on a shelf in the garage next
to Ethan's Prize nineteen sixty nine Ford Mustang, a car
he had spent years restoring. The sight of it gave
Diaz a strange feeling. Why would a man who cherished
his car be careless enough to leave antafries open near
where he worked. The detectives ordered a full autopsy. When
(06:28):
the toxicology report came back days later, the findings were shocking.
Heathen had ethelene glycol in his system, the primary ingredient
in antiphries. A slow poisoning had caused kidney failure, mimicking
complications from his existing war injuries. It would have looked
like natural causes if not for one crucial detail. Ruising
around Athan's nose and mouth. The marks suggested he had
(06:51):
been smothered after he was already weak from the poison.
Someone had ensured he wouldn't wake up. This was no
longer a tragic death. It was murder. Investigators turned their
attention back to Rebecca. They calmed through her phone records
and financial statements. Purchases from a local Walmart showed she
had bought antifrees just two weeks earlier. Surveillance footage confirmed it.
(07:12):
Rebecca in a pink hoodie in leggings had placed the
bottle in her cart alongside household items and groceries. They
also found Internet searches on Rebecca's laptop that sent chills
down the detective spines. Queries like how long does antefreees
take to kill someone? And undetectable poisons had been deleted
but recovered by forensic specialists. Rebecca had tried to cover
(07:34):
her tracks, but the evidence was piling up. Travis and
Diaz knew they were dealing with something cold and calculated.
Ethan Cole had survived the war, only to be betrayed
in his own home. Now, the only question that remained
was why Rebecca Cole, thirty five, was known in the
community as a devoted wife, always seen pushing Ethan's wheelchair
(07:54):
at the grocery store or sitting beside him at their
local church. He had worked as a nurse before quitting
to care for Ethan full time. But as investigators peeled
back the layers of her seemingly perfect marriage, a different
story came to light. In the months before Ethan's death,
Rebecca's behavior had changed. Neighbors recalled seeing her leave home
at odd hours, dressed up in outfits that didn't seem
(08:17):
appropriate her errands. Phone records showed late night calls to
an unknown number, often lasting over an hour. Security footage
from a nearby gas station captured her filling up her
car at two am, just days before Ethan's death. It
was clear she was hiding something. When questioned by police,
Rebecca was initially distraught. She clutched tissues, her hands shaking
(08:37):
as she spoke about her love for Ethan, But when
detectives presented her with the toxicology report, her demeanor changed.
The shock on her face was quickly replaced with anger.
She leaned forward, her voice rising as she demanded to
know if they were accusing her of murder. Investigators noted
her defensive tone. They had seen this reaction before, a
suspect trying to control the narrative. Rebec Becca's financial records
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added to their suspicions. Just weeks before Ethan's death, she
had taken out a life insurance policy in his name
worth five hundred thousand dollars. The timing was too convenient.
Even more damning was a deleted text recovered from Rebecca's phone.
It was sent to an unknown contact the night before
Ethan's death. It's almost done. Soon, will be free. As
(09:22):
the evidence mounted, police brought in Rebecca for further questioning.
This time, she was less composed. She avoided eye contact,
her hands clenched in her lap. When detectives asked if
she had ever purchased antaphrees, she hesitated before admitting she had,
claiming it was for her car, but Ethan's car was
well maintained and mechanics confirmed there had been no need
(09:42):
for antiphrees. In months, Rebecca insisted she had nothing to
do with Ethan's death. She painted herself as a grieving widow,
but the facts told a different story. Her erratic behavior,
the secret calls, the financial motive. All of it pointed
in one direction. Ethan Cole had survived war, only to
be betrayed by the person he trusted most. Doctor Nathaniel Hayes,
(10:05):
forty two was well regarded in Mobile's medical community. A
specialist in rehabilitation medicine, he had been treating Ethan Cole
for nearly a year, overseeing his pain management and physical therapy.
His office, located in a busy medical plaza near Providence Hospital,
was known for its work with veterans. Recovering from battlefield injuries.
(10:25):
Ethan's medical records showed he had been experiencing worsening symptoms
in the months leading up to his death, fatigue, nausea, confusion.
Each time he reported these issues, doctor Hayes adjusted his medications,
believing they were related to nerve damage from the explosion
that had left Ethan partially paralyzed. But when the toxicology
(10:46):
report revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, investigators had serious concerns.
If Ethan had been showing classic symptoms of poisoning, why
hadn't his doctor noticed. Detectives brought doctor Hayes in for questioning.
He appeared tired, his hands fidgeting as he spoke. He
explained that Ethan's symptoms mirrored those of chronic pain sufferers, dizziness,
(11:07):
muscle weakness, and exhaustion. He had prescribed stronger painkillers and
muscle relaxes, hoping to make his patient more comfortable. The
realization that Ethan had actually been poisoned weighed heavily on him.
Doctor Hayes had no criminal record, no financial ties to Rebecca,
and no history of unethical behavior. His prescriptions had been
appropriate for Ethan's medical condition. Still, investigators calmed through his
(11:31):
financial records, phone logs, and patient files, searching for anything
that could suggest wrongdoing. One discovery gave detective's pause. Doctor
Hayes and Rebecca Cole had exchanged several late night phone
calls in the weeks before Ethan's death. When questioned about them,
doctor Hayes insisted they were professional related to Ethan's care.
(11:51):
He explained that Rebecca had seemed worried about her husband's
declining health and had called him frequently for advice. But
detectives wondered was she really just concerned wife or was
she manipulating the doctor to cover her tracks. Looking deeper
into Rebecca's background, police learned she had a history of
switching doctors for Ethan. She had moved him from one
specialist to another, often citing dissatisfaction with her care. Doctor
(12:16):
Hayes was the first to trust her completely, never suspecting
she had been slowly poisoning her husband. After thoroughly reviewing
his records, police determined that doctor Hayes had been an
unwitting participant in Rebecca's scheme. He had misdiagnosed Ethan, but
he had not been involved in his murder. The case
against Rebecca was building, but investigators still had one critical question.
(12:38):
Had she acted alone. On November twenty, twenty thirteen, detectives
received a major break in the case. Digital forensic experts
analyzing Ithan Cole's phone uncovered a voice memo recorded the
night before his death. It was nearly two minutes long,
and what it contained sent chills through the investigation team.
In the recording, Ethan sounded weak but determined. He confronted
(13:00):
Rebecca about an affair. His voice was slurred, likely due
to the poison already in his system, but his words
were clear. He knew something wasn't right. He suspected she
had been lying to him. The response from Rebecca was cold, calculated.
You were supposed to die? Over there? Detectives played the
recording over and over. The implications were staggering. Over there
(13:21):
could only mean afghanison. Did Rebecca wish for his death
in combat? Had she been waiting for him to come
home just to kill him herself? And one detail stood
out the way she said we who was she referring to?
Investigators expanded their search. Phone records showed Rebecca had been
in frequent contact with a man named Daniel Porter, a
thirty seven year old former military contractor. Porter had worked overseas,
(13:45):
including in Afghanistan, and had returned to the US around
the same time Ethan had. His name had never come
up in the investigation before, but now he was a
person of interest. Detectives dug deeper into Rebecca's past. She
and Ethan had met while he was recovering at the
Via Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their relationship had moved fast,
too fast, some of Ethan's friends later admitted within months
(14:09):
they were married. But what if Rebecca had already been
involved with someone else. Security footage from a local gas
station near the Coles home revealed another clue. Just two
nights before Ethan's death, Rebecca had been seen in the
passenger seat of a black Ford F one hundred and
fifty park for over an hour. The truck was registered
to Daniel Porter. With this new evidence, police now had
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a second suspect. If Rebecca had been poisoning Ethan for months,
had she been acting alone or was someone else helping her.
Investigators believed Ethan had begun to piece things together in
his final days. Maybe he had suspected Rebecca was unfaithful.
Maybe he had started to question why his health was worsening,
but by the time he recorded that voice memo, it
(14:52):
was too late. Now detectives had a clearer picture of
what had happened. Rebecca had not only wanted Ethan dead,
she had expected it, and she may not have been
the only one involved. The case was no longer just
about a wife betraying her husband. It was about a
deadly conspiracy. Cody Reynolds twenty eight was well known in
mobiles downtown bar scene. He worked nights at the Blue Marlin,
(15:14):
a popular spot where live music and strong drinks kept
the place packed. When he wasn't behind the bar, he
was chasing dreams of making it big as a country
rock musician, playing small gigs at local venues. To many,
he seemed like just another struggling artist trying to make
ends meet. But police soon learned that Cody was much
more than that. He was Rebecca Cole's stecret lover. Investigators
(15:37):
first uncovered Cody's connection to Rebecca through her phone records
she had called to nearly a dozen times in the
days leading up to Ethan's death. A deeper dive into
her email history revealed even more troubling evidence. Varied among
everyday messages was a string of emails exchanged between Rebecca
and Cody. The subject lines were vague, but the content
was anything but They spoke in code about their future together,
(16:00):
about how things would be easier. Soon, one message stood out.
Rebecca had forwarded Cody a copy of Ethan's five hundred
thousand dollars life insurance policy. Detectives brought Cody in for questioning.
At first, he denied everything. He insisted he had nothing
to do with Ethan's death and claimed Rebecca had told
him she was leaving her husband, not planning his murder.
(16:21):
But when confronted with the emails, his story changed. Cody
admitted that he knew Rebecca was poisoning Ethan. She had
told him it was a slow, painless process. He swore
he had never handled the antiphries himself, but he also
didn't try to stop her. Instead, he had encouraged her,
telling her to do what she had to. Investigators pressed
him further, had he played a more active role, could
(16:44):
he have smothered Ethan once the poison had weakened him.
Cody shook his head and swore he had no part
in that he claimed Rebecca had promised him they would
be together, that once Ethan was gone, they could take
the life insurance money and start fresh. He even moved
to Nashville so he could finally get his big break.
As police continued their questioning, Cody's confidence crumbled. He had
(17:07):
thought he was just playing along with Rebecca's plan, not
realizing he was now tangled in a murder investigation. His
dream of a new life was shattered. Instead of fame
and fortune, he now faced the possibility of life behind bars.
With Cody's confession, detectives had what they needed. Rebecca had
not acted alone. She had manipulated, planned, and convinced others
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to help her. Ethan's death was not just a crime
of passion. It was a cold, calculated conspiracy. On the
morning of November twenty two, twenty thirteen, officers from the
Mobile Police Department arrived at Rebecca Coll's home with an
arrest warrant. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a
steaming cup of coffee in her hands, scrolling through her phone.
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A half eaten bagel sat on a plate beside her.
The quiet morning scene shattered the moment she looked up
and saw the officers at her door. Rebecca's expression shifted
from confusion to shockas detectives and formed her of the
charges first degree murder, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. Her hands
trembled and her face turned pale. She tried to compose herself,
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shaking her head as if refusing to believe what was happening.
This is a mistake, she mumbled, her voice barely above
a whisper. But the evidence told a different story. Investigators
had built a rock solid case. Heathan's autopsy had confirmed
poisoning and asphyxiation. The digital forensics team had uncovered damning
emails between Rebecca and her lover, Cody Reynolds. Surveillance footage
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from a local Walmart showed Rebecca purchasing antifries just weeks
before Ethan's death. And then there was the chilling voice memo,
Ethan's final recording, where he confronted Rebecca about her affair,
only to be met with a cryptic, incriminating response. The
arrest and shockwaves through the community. Rebecca had always played
the role of the caring wife, the former nurse who
(18:52):
had stood by Ethan through his injuries, but behind closed doors,
she had slowly and methodically planned his death. Yan's family,
especially his sister Marie Cole, was devastated, but not entirely surprised.
Marie had long suspected that Rebecca's love for Ethan had faded.
At first, she thought it was due to the stress
of caring for him, but now it was clear Rebecca
(19:14):
hadn't seen Ethan as a husband anymore. She had seen
him as an obstacle. As the police led Rebecca out
of her home, reporters had already gathered outside. News of
the arrest spread quickly, making headlines across Alabama and beyond.
Local news stations including w KROG and Fox ten, covered
the case extensively. By evening, social media was flooded with comments, theories,
(19:36):
and outrage. True crime forums buzzed with discussions about the
shocking murder plot. Rebecca was booked into the Mobile County
Metro Jail, where she was held without bail. As she
sat in her cold cell that night, the reality of
her situation finally began to sink. In the life she
had meticulously planned, the life insurance payout, the fresh start
(19:57):
with Cody was gone. Instead of freedom, she now faced
the possibility of spending the rest of her life behind bars.
Rebecca Cole's murder trial began on June ten, twenty fourteen,
at the Mobile County Courthouse. The case had captured some
minor local attention, with true crime documentaries and news programs
covering every detail. Local TV aired segments analyzing the evidence,
(20:20):
while online forums debated Rebecca's motives. The courtroom was packed
with reporters, family members, and curious spectators eager to witness
the conclusion of the shocking case. Prosecutor Thomas Greer, a
seasoned attorney with a reputation for his no nonsense approach,
laid out the evidence in a clear and methodical manner.
He described Rebecca as a heartless woman who had slowly
(20:41):
poisoned her husband while carrying on a secret affair. He
emphasized Ethan's service to his country, painting a picture of
a dedicated marine betrayed by the person he trusted most.
The jury listened intently as he detailed how Rebecca had
researched antifrey's poisoning, purchased the substance, and laced Athen's protein
shakes with it. On the other side, Rebecca's defense attorney,
(21:02):
Miranda Calloway tried to shift playing. She argued that Rebecca
had been manipulated by Cody Reynolds, her younger lover, who
she claimed had pressured her into taking drastic action. Callaway
described Rebecca as a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage,
emotionally broken, and desperate for a way out. However, the
strategy faltered when Cody himself took the stand. Cody, hoping
(21:24):
to secure a lighter sentence for his own involvement, testified
against Rebecca. He admitted to encouraging her, but insisted that
she had acted alone. His emails, in which he discussed
their plans to cash in on Ethan's life insurance, were
displayed on a large screen in the courtroom. The jury
saw the cold calculated nature of their plan. After weeks
of testimony and deliberation, the jury reached a verdict on
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August five, twenty fourteen. Rebecca Cole was found guilty of
first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and insurance fraud.
The judge wasted no time in delivering the sentence life
in prison without the possibility of parole. As the verdict
was read, Rebecca remained motionless, her face pale and unreadable.
Ethan's family, seated in the front row, quietly embraced their
(22:09):
long fight for justice finally over. Outside the courthouse, news
crews from local channels reported on the sentencing, while social
media exploded with reactions. Rebecca was transferred to Julia Tutwiler
Prison for Women, where she would spend the rest of
her life behind bars. Following Rebecca Cole's sentencing, attention turned
to her accomplice, Cody Reynolds. In exchange for his testimony,
(22:33):
Cody received a reduced sentence of ten years for conspiracy
to commit murder. He was sent to Kilby Correctional Facility,
where he would serve his time with the possibility of parole.
Many believed he had gotten off lightly considering his role
in encouraging Ethan's death. Doctor Nathaniel Hayes, the physician who
had failed to recognize Ethan's poisoning, was not charged with
(22:54):
any crime. However, the case deeply affected his career. Patience
lost trust in him, and online reviews for his clinic plummeted.
Despite this, he continued to practice medicine, though colleagues noted
that he was never quite the same. The weight of
his misdiagnosis haunted him, and he became an outspoken advocate
for better training and recognizing uncommon poisoning symptoms. Ethan's family
(23:18):
struggled to move forward, but found purpose in keeping his
memory alive. His sister, Marie Cole, became an advocate for
veterans health care. Determined to prevent similar tragedies, she worked
with organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, pushing for improved
medical oversight for returning soldiers. She also helped launch a
scholarship fund in Ethan's names, supporting young veterans pursuing careers
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after service. In mobile, Ethan's presence remained strong. The classic
cars he had lovingly restored were passed down to his
closest friends, who made a point to take them to
car shows in his honor. His favorite sixty seven Mustang,
the car he had spent years perfecting, became a symbol
of his legacy, appearing at community events and veteran stay parates.
(24:01):
Local news stations, including w KRG continued covering the case
with true crime podcast and YouTube channels, analyzing every detail
the story of itthan Cole's betrayal and murder remained a
cautionary tale reminding people of the dangers hidden within seemingly
ordinary lies. Rebecca now innate number forty eight thousand, nine
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hundred and seventy three at Julia's Atwiler Prison for women
adapted to life behind bars. She maintained her innocence in interviews,
but received little sympathy from the public. She became just
another name in the long list of spouses who had
killed for greed and passion. Years later, the people who
truly knew Ethan still gathered on his birthday to celebrate
his life, sharing stories and keeping his spirit alive in
(24:44):
the community he had loved. Sergeant Ethan Cole survived war,
only to be betrayed by the person he trusted most.
His story serves as a grim reminder that sometimes the
greatest dangers come not from battlefields, but from within our
own homes. Thank you for listening to true crime case spiles.
Until next time, stay safe, stay vigilant, and always seek
(25:05):
the truth.
Welcome to True Crime Case Files, where we delve into
real life stories of crime, betrayal, and justice. In this episode,
we traveled to Mobil, Alabama in November twenty thirteen, a
city rich in southern charm but hiding the dark secret.
A decorated war hero, Surgeont Ethan Cole, had survived the
perils of battle, only to fall victim to a betrayal
(00:21):
far closer to home. His death was initially believed to
be a tragic result of his injuries, but as investigators
dug deeper, they uncovered a shocking tale of deceit, greed,
and murder. Sergeant Ethan Cole thirty eight, was a decorated
Army veteran who had dedicated nearly two decades of his
life to military service. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama,
(00:42):
Ethan had always dreamed of following in his father's footsteps.
His father, Daniel Cole, had served in Vietnam and instilled
in him a deep sense of duty. After graduating from
Murphy High School in nineteen ninety three, Ethan enlisted in
the Army, quickly earning a reputation for his discipline and courage.
Over the years, he completed multiple tours in Afghaniston, receiving
(01:03):
commendations for his leadership under fire. His life took a
tragic turn in twenty twelve when an ied explosion severely
wounded him during a mission in Kennahar. The blast left
him with permanent nerve damage in his left leg, forcing
him to walk with a limp and endure chronic pain.
After months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,
(01:24):
Heathen was honorably discharged. Returning to Mobil, he faced the
daunting challenge of adapting to civilian life. Despite his injuries,
he refused to let his condition define him. He took
a job as a security consultant, advising local businesses on
risk management, and spent his free time restoring classic cars,
a hobby he had developed as a teenager working in
(01:45):
his uncle's garage. His dream was to one day open
his own security firm, and by a nineteen sixty seven
Ford Mustang, a car he had admired since childhood. Ethan
had married Rebecca Beca Cole in two thousand and nine
after a world when romance. They had met at an
Army medical center where she was working as a nurse,
and he had been instantly drawned to her warmth and energy.
(02:08):
After his injury, Rebecca initially stood by his side, helping
him adjust to life with limited mobility, but Ethan failed
to see the changes in her overtime, the resentment that
slowly crept into their marriage. By November twenty thirteen, Ethan
was focused on moving forward. He had started looking into
online courses in business management at the University of South
(02:28):
Alabama and had begun networking with other veterans who had
started security firms. He still struggled with pain, but he
remained hopeful. He and Rebecca had talked about starting a family,
and Ethan, ever the optimists, believed their best years were
still ahead. His love for Rebecca was unwavering, and he
trusted her completely. What he didn't know was that she
(02:49):
no longer felt the same way as he planned for
their future. She was making plans of her own, plans
that would leave him dead before the month was over.
Early on the morning of November fifteenth, thirteen, at exactly
six forty five am, Rebecca Cole dialed nine to one
one from her home in a quiet suburban neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama.
Her voice trembled as she told the dispatcher that her husband,
(03:12):
if in coal, wasn't breathing. She claimed she had woken
up beside him and found him unresponsive. Within minutes, emergency
responders from Mobile Fire Rescue arrived at the modest brick
house on Pine Hill Drive. They found Ethan lying motionless
on the couple's king size bed, his skin pale and
cold to the touch. The bedroom was dimly lit, the
(03:33):
covers neatly draped over his lower body. A half empty
bottle of prescription painkillers sat on the night stand beside
a glass of water. The scene appeared peaceful, no overturned furniture,
no signs of a struggle, and nothing that immediately suggested
foul play. Rebecca, still in her pajamas, stood near the doorway,
sobbing uncontrollably. As paramedics examined Evan, his pulse was gone.
(03:57):
His body had already begun to stiffen slightly, suggesting he
had been dead for several hours. By seven five am,
he was officially pronounced dead. One of the paramedics, familiar
with Ethan's medical history, suspected the complications from his war injuries,
perhaps a blood clot or cardiac failure, had taken his
life in his sleep. Detectives from the Mobile Police Department
(04:19):
arrived shortly after. Sergeant Ron Miller, a veteran investigator with
over fifteen years on the force, observed the scene carefully.
Something about it felt off. If Ethan had suffered a
medical emergency in the night, why hadn't Rebecca noticed anything sooner?
The bed looked too undisturbed for a man who had
supposedly died in his sleep. And then there was the
(04:40):
medicine bottle. Ethan had been on a strict pain management
plan and had never shown signs of overusing his medication.
As officers questioned Rebecca, she clutched a crumpled tissue in
her hand and kept repeating how much she had loved Ethan.
She explained that they had eaten dinner together the night
before while watching an episode of Ansias. She said she
had gone to bed around ten thirty PM, kissing him
(05:02):
good night as he took his evening pills. She hadn't
noticed anything wrong until she woke up at dawn. Ethan's
fellow veterans, some of whom arrived at the house after
hearing the news, were devastated the idea that their brother
in arms had simply died in his sleep felt like
a cruel twist of fate. But as detectives took one
final look around, they couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan's
(05:22):
death wasn't as simple as it seemed. By eight o'clock
am on November fifteen, twenty thirteen, detectives Travis and Daz
from the Mobile Police Department arrived at the coal residence. Travis,
a seasoned investigator with fifteen years of experience, had worked
countless homicide cases. He immediately took note of Rebecca Cole's behavior.
Her sobbings seemed excessive, almost rehearsed. She clutched a framed
(05:46):
wedding photo of herself and Ethan, staring at it as
if on cue. Every time an officer passed. Dias, known
for her keen attention to detail, examined the bedroom carefully.
The nights then held an empty protein ship cup next
to the bottle of prescription painkillers. A faint, sticky residue
lined the inside of the cup, something that didn't seem
(06:07):
right for a simple protein drink. A nearly full gallon
of antiphrees sat on a shelf in the garage next
to Ethan's Prize nineteen sixty nine Ford Mustang, a car
he had spent years restoring. The sight of it gave
Diaz a strange feeling. Why would a man who cherished
his car be careless enough to leave antafries open near
where he worked. The detectives ordered a full autopsy. When
(06:28):
the toxicology report came back days later, the findings were shocking.
Heathen had ethelene glycol in his system, the primary ingredient
in antiphries. A slow poisoning had caused kidney failure, mimicking
complications from his existing war injuries. It would have looked
like natural causes if not for one crucial detail. Ruising
around Athan's nose and mouth. The marks suggested he had
(06:51):
been smothered after he was already weak from the poison.
Someone had ensured he wouldn't wake up. This was no
longer a tragic death. It was murder. Investigators turned their
attention back to Rebecca. They calmed through her phone records
and financial statements. Purchases from a local Walmart showed she
had bought antifrees just two weeks earlier. Surveillance footage confirmed it.
(07:12):
Rebecca in a pink hoodie in leggings had placed the
bottle in her cart alongside household items and groceries. They
also found Internet searches on Rebecca's laptop that sent chills
down the detective spines. Queries like how long does antefreees
take to kill someone? And undetectable poisons had been deleted
but recovered by forensic specialists. Rebecca had tried to cover
(07:34):
her tracks, but the evidence was piling up. Travis and
Diaz knew they were dealing with something cold and calculated.
Ethan Cole had survived the war, only to be betrayed
in his own home. Now, the only question that remained
was why Rebecca Cole, thirty five, was known in the
community as a devoted wife, always seen pushing Ethan's wheelchair
(07:54):
at the grocery store or sitting beside him at their
local church. He had worked as a nurse before quitting
to care for Ethan full time. But as investigators peeled
back the layers of her seemingly perfect marriage, a different
story came to light. In the months before Ethan's death,
Rebecca's behavior had changed. Neighbors recalled seeing her leave home
at odd hours, dressed up in outfits that didn't seem
(08:17):
appropriate her errands. Phone records showed late night calls to
an unknown number, often lasting over an hour. Security footage
from a nearby gas station captured her filling up her
car at two am, just days before Ethan's death. It
was clear she was hiding something. When questioned by police,
Rebecca was initially distraught. She clutched tissues, her hands shaking
(08:37):
as she spoke about her love for Ethan, But when
detectives presented her with the toxicology report, her demeanor changed.
The shock on her face was quickly replaced with anger.
She leaned forward, her voice rising as she demanded to
know if they were accusing her of murder. Investigators noted
her defensive tone. They had seen this reaction before, a
suspect trying to control the narrative. Rebec Becca's financial records
(09:01):
added to their suspicions. Just weeks before Ethan's death, she
had taken out a life insurance policy in his name
worth five hundred thousand dollars. The timing was too convenient.
Even more damning was a deleted text recovered from Rebecca's phone.
It was sent to an unknown contact the night before
Ethan's death. It's almost done. Soon, will be free. As
(09:22):
the evidence mounted, police brought in Rebecca for further questioning.
This time, she was less composed. She avoided eye contact,
her hands clenched in her lap. When detectives asked if
she had ever purchased antaphrees, she hesitated before admitting she had,
claiming it was for her car, but Ethan's car was
well maintained and mechanics confirmed there had been no need
(09:42):
for antiphrees. In months, Rebecca insisted she had nothing to
do with Ethan's death. She painted herself as a grieving widow,
but the facts told a different story. Her erratic behavior,
the secret calls, the financial motive. All of it pointed
in one direction. Ethan Cole had survived war, only to
be betrayed by the person he trusted most. Doctor Nathaniel Hayes,
(10:05):
forty two was well regarded in Mobile's medical community. A
specialist in rehabilitation medicine, he had been treating Ethan Cole
for nearly a year, overseeing his pain management and physical therapy.
His office, located in a busy medical plaza near Providence Hospital,
was known for its work with veterans. Recovering from battlefield injuries.
(10:25):
Ethan's medical records showed he had been experiencing worsening symptoms
in the months leading up to his death, fatigue, nausea, confusion.
Each time he reported these issues, doctor Hayes adjusted his medications,
believing they were related to nerve damage from the explosion
that had left Ethan partially paralyzed. But when the toxicology
(10:46):
report revealed the presence of ethylene glycol, investigators had serious concerns.
If Ethan had been showing classic symptoms of poisoning, why
hadn't his doctor noticed. Detectives brought doctor Hayes in for questioning.
He appeared tired, his hands fidgeting as he spoke. He
explained that Ethan's symptoms mirrored those of chronic pain sufferers, dizziness,
(11:07):
muscle weakness, and exhaustion. He had prescribed stronger painkillers and
muscle relaxes, hoping to make his patient more comfortable. The
realization that Ethan had actually been poisoned weighed heavily on him.
Doctor Hayes had no criminal record, no financial ties to Rebecca,
and no history of unethical behavior. His prescriptions had been
appropriate for Ethan's medical condition. Still, investigators calmed through his
(11:31):
financial records, phone logs, and patient files, searching for anything
that could suggest wrongdoing. One discovery gave detective's pause. Doctor
Hayes and Rebecca Cole had exchanged several late night phone
calls in the weeks before Ethan's death. When questioned about them,
doctor Hayes insisted they were professional related to Ethan's care.
(11:51):
He explained that Rebecca had seemed worried about her husband's
declining health and had called him frequently for advice. But
detectives wondered was she really just concerned wife or was
she manipulating the doctor to cover her tracks. Looking deeper
into Rebecca's background, police learned she had a history of
switching doctors for Ethan. She had moved him from one
specialist to another, often citing dissatisfaction with her care. Doctor
(12:16):
Hayes was the first to trust her completely, never suspecting
she had been slowly poisoning her husband. After thoroughly reviewing
his records, police determined that doctor Hayes had been an
unwitting participant in Rebecca's scheme. He had misdiagnosed Ethan, but
he had not been involved in his murder. The case
against Rebecca was building, but investigators still had one critical question.
(12:38):
Had she acted alone. On November twenty, twenty thirteen, detectives
received a major break in the case. Digital forensic experts
analyzing Ithan Cole's phone uncovered a voice memo recorded the
night before his death. It was nearly two minutes long,
and what it contained sent chills through the investigation team.
In the recording, Ethan sounded weak but determined. He confronted
(13:00):
Rebecca about an affair. His voice was slurred, likely due
to the poison already in his system, but his words
were clear. He knew something wasn't right. He suspected she
had been lying to him. The response from Rebecca was cold, calculated.
You were supposed to die? Over there? Detectives played the
recording over and over. The implications were staggering. Over there
(13:21):
could only mean afghanison. Did Rebecca wish for his death
in combat? Had she been waiting for him to come
home just to kill him herself? And one detail stood
out the way she said we who was she referring to?
Investigators expanded their search. Phone records showed Rebecca had been
in frequent contact with a man named Daniel Porter, a
thirty seven year old former military contractor. Porter had worked overseas,
(13:45):
including in Afghanistan, and had returned to the US around
the same time Ethan had. His name had never come
up in the investigation before, but now he was a
person of interest. Detectives dug deeper into Rebecca's past. She
and Ethan had met while he was recovering at the
Via Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their relationship had moved fast,
too fast, some of Ethan's friends later admitted within months
(14:09):
they were married. But what if Rebecca had already been
involved with someone else. Security footage from a local gas
station near the Coles home revealed another clue. Just two
nights before Ethan's death, Rebecca had been seen in the
passenger seat of a black Ford F one hundred and
fifty park for over an hour. The truck was registered
to Daniel Porter. With this new evidence, police now had
(14:31):
a second suspect. If Rebecca had been poisoning Ethan for months,
had she been acting alone or was someone else helping her.
Investigators believed Ethan had begun to piece things together in
his final days. Maybe he had suspected Rebecca was unfaithful.
Maybe he had started to question why his health was worsening,
but by the time he recorded that voice memo, it
(14:52):
was too late. Now detectives had a clearer picture of
what had happened. Rebecca had not only wanted Ethan dead,
she had expected it, and she may not have been
the only one involved. The case was no longer just
about a wife betraying her husband. It was about a
deadly conspiracy. Cody Reynolds twenty eight was well known in
mobiles downtown bar scene. He worked nights at the Blue Marlin,
(15:14):
a popular spot where live music and strong drinks kept
the place packed. When he wasn't behind the bar, he
was chasing dreams of making it big as a country
rock musician, playing small gigs at local venues. To many,
he seemed like just another struggling artist trying to make
ends meet. But police soon learned that Cody was much
more than that. He was Rebecca Cole's stecret lover. Investigators
(15:37):
first uncovered Cody's connection to Rebecca through her phone records
she had called to nearly a dozen times in the
days leading up to Ethan's death. A deeper dive into
her email history revealed even more troubling evidence. Varied among
everyday messages was a string of emails exchanged between Rebecca
and Cody. The subject lines were vague, but the content
was anything but They spoke in code about their future together,
(16:00):
about how things would be easier. Soon, one message stood out.
Rebecca had forwarded Cody a copy of Ethan's five hundred
thousand dollars life insurance policy. Detectives brought Cody in for questioning.
At first, he denied everything. He insisted he had nothing
to do with Ethan's death and claimed Rebecca had told
him she was leaving her husband, not planning his murder.
(16:21):
But when confronted with the emails, his story changed. Cody
admitted that he knew Rebecca was poisoning Ethan. She had
told him it was a slow, painless process. He swore
he had never handled the antiphries himself, but he also
didn't try to stop her. Instead, he had encouraged her,
telling her to do what she had to. Investigators pressed
him further, had he played a more active role, could
(16:44):
he have smothered Ethan once the poison had weakened him.
Cody shook his head and swore he had no part
in that he claimed Rebecca had promised him they would
be together, that once Ethan was gone, they could take
the life insurance money and start fresh. He even moved
to Nashville so he could finally get his big break.
As police continued their questioning, Cody's confidence crumbled. He had
(17:07):
thought he was just playing along with Rebecca's plan, not
realizing he was now tangled in a murder investigation. His
dream of a new life was shattered. Instead of fame
and fortune, he now faced the possibility of life behind bars.
With Cody's confession, detectives had what they needed. Rebecca had
not acted alone. She had manipulated, planned, and convinced others
(17:28):
to help her. Ethan's death was not just a crime
of passion. It was a cold, calculated conspiracy. On the
morning of November twenty two, twenty thirteen, officers from the
Mobile Police Department arrived at Rebecca Coll's home with an
arrest warrant. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a
steaming cup of coffee in her hands, scrolling through her phone.
(17:48):
A half eaten bagel sat on a plate beside her.
The quiet morning scene shattered the moment she looked up
and saw the officers at her door. Rebecca's expression shifted
from confusion to shockas detectives and formed her of the
charges first degree murder, conspiracy, and insurance fraud. Her hands
trembled and her face turned pale. She tried to compose herself,
(18:09):
shaking her head as if refusing to believe what was happening.
This is a mistake, she mumbled, her voice barely above
a whisper. But the evidence told a different story. Investigators
had built a rock solid case. Heathan's autopsy had confirmed
poisoning and asphyxiation. The digital forensics team had uncovered damning
emails between Rebecca and her lover, Cody Reynolds. Surveillance footage
(18:32):
from a local Walmart showed Rebecca purchasing antifries just weeks
before Ethan's death. And then there was the chilling voice memo,
Ethan's final recording, where he confronted Rebecca about her affair,
only to be met with a cryptic, incriminating response. The
arrest and shockwaves through the community. Rebecca had always played
the role of the caring wife, the former nurse who
(18:52):
had stood by Ethan through his injuries, but behind closed doors,
she had slowly and methodically planned his death. Yan's family,
especially his sister Marie Cole, was devastated, but not entirely surprised.
Marie had long suspected that Rebecca's love for Ethan had faded.
At first, she thought it was due to the stress
of caring for him, but now it was clear Rebecca
(19:14):
hadn't seen Ethan as a husband anymore. She had seen
him as an obstacle. As the police led Rebecca out
of her home, reporters had already gathered outside. News of
the arrest spread quickly, making headlines across Alabama and beyond.
Local news stations including w KROG and Fox ten, covered
the case extensively. By evening, social media was flooded with comments, theories,
(19:36):
and outrage. True crime forums buzzed with discussions about the
shocking murder plot. Rebecca was booked into the Mobile County
Metro Jail, where she was held without bail. As she
sat in her cold cell that night, the reality of
her situation finally began to sink. In the life she
had meticulously planned, the life insurance payout, the fresh start
(19:57):
with Cody was gone. Instead of freedom, she now faced
the possibility of spending the rest of her life behind bars.
Rebecca Cole's murder trial began on June ten, twenty fourteen,
at the Mobile County Courthouse. The case had captured some
minor local attention, with true crime documentaries and news programs
covering every detail. Local TV aired segments analyzing the evidence,
(20:20):
while online forums debated Rebecca's motives. The courtroom was packed
with reporters, family members, and curious spectators eager to witness
the conclusion of the shocking case. Prosecutor Thomas Greer, a
seasoned attorney with a reputation for his no nonsense approach,
laid out the evidence in a clear and methodical manner.
He described Rebecca as a heartless woman who had slowly
(20:41):
poisoned her husband while carrying on a secret affair. He
emphasized Ethan's service to his country, painting a picture of
a dedicated marine betrayed by the person he trusted most.
The jury listened intently as he detailed how Rebecca had
researched antifrey's poisoning, purchased the substance, and laced Athen's protein
shakes with it. On the other side, Rebecca's defense attorney,
(21:02):
Miranda Calloway tried to shift playing. She argued that Rebecca
had been manipulated by Cody Reynolds, her younger lover, who
she claimed had pressured her into taking drastic action. Callaway
described Rebecca as a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage,
emotionally broken, and desperate for a way out. However, the
strategy faltered when Cody himself took the stand. Cody, hoping
(21:24):
to secure a lighter sentence for his own involvement, testified
against Rebecca. He admitted to encouraging her, but insisted that
she had acted alone. His emails, in which he discussed
their plans to cash in on Ethan's life insurance, were
displayed on a large screen in the courtroom. The jury
saw the cold calculated nature of their plan. After weeks
of testimony and deliberation, the jury reached a verdict on
(21:48):
August five, twenty fourteen. Rebecca Cole was found guilty of
first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and insurance fraud.
The judge wasted no time in delivering the sentence life
in prison without the possibility of parole. As the verdict
was read, Rebecca remained motionless, her face pale and unreadable.
Ethan's family, seated in the front row, quietly embraced their
(22:09):
long fight for justice finally over. Outside the courthouse, news
crews from local channels reported on the sentencing, while social
media exploded with reactions. Rebecca was transferred to Julia Tutwiler
Prison for Women, where she would spend the rest of
her life behind bars. Following Rebecca Cole's sentencing, attention turned
to her accomplice, Cody Reynolds. In exchange for his testimony,
(22:33):
Cody received a reduced sentence of ten years for conspiracy
to commit murder. He was sent to Kilby Correctional Facility,
where he would serve his time with the possibility of parole.
Many believed he had gotten off lightly considering his role
in encouraging Ethan's death. Doctor Nathaniel Hayes, the physician who
had failed to recognize Ethan's poisoning, was not charged with
(22:54):
any crime. However, the case deeply affected his career. Patience
lost trust in him, and online reviews for his clinic plummeted.
Despite this, he continued to practice medicine, though colleagues noted
that he was never quite the same. The weight of
his misdiagnosis haunted him, and he became an outspoken advocate
for better training and recognizing uncommon poisoning symptoms. Ethan's family
(23:18):
struggled to move forward, but found purpose in keeping his
memory alive. His sister, Marie Cole, became an advocate for
veterans health care. Determined to prevent similar tragedies, she worked
with organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, pushing for improved
medical oversight for returning soldiers. She also helped launch a
scholarship fund in Ethan's names, supporting young veterans pursuing careers
(23:40):
after service. In mobile, Ethan's presence remained strong. The classic
cars he had lovingly restored were passed down to his
closest friends, who made a point to take them to
car shows in his honor. His favorite sixty seven Mustang,
the car he had spent years perfecting, became a symbol
of his legacy, appearing at community events and veteran stay parates.
(24:01):
Local news stations, including w KRG continued covering the case
with true crime podcast and YouTube channels, analyzing every detail
the story of itthan Cole's betrayal and murder remained a
cautionary tale reminding people of the dangers hidden within seemingly
ordinary lies. Rebecca now innate number forty eight thousand, nine
(24:21):
hundred and seventy three at Julia's Atwiler Prison for women
adapted to life behind bars. She maintained her innocence in interviews,
but received little sympathy from the public. She became just
another name in the long list of spouses who had
killed for greed and passion. Years later, the people who
truly knew Ethan still gathered on his birthday to celebrate
his life, sharing stories and keeping his spirit alive in
(24:44):
the community he had loved. Sergeant Ethan Cole survived war,
only to be betrayed by the person he trusted most.
His story serves as a grim reminder that sometimes the
greatest dangers come not from battlefields, but from within our
own homes. Thank you for listening to true crime case spiles.
Until next time, stay safe, stay vigilant, and always seek
(25:05):
the truth.
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