In 2004, the murder of 19-year-old college student Courtney Coco shook the community of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, and left her family and friends devastated. For years, the case remained unsolved, until a recent breakthrough finally brought some closure for her loved ones.
In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this haunting case about who killed Courtney Coco, explore the evidence that led to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator, and reflect on the impact of this tragic event on the community and the wider society.
How Did Coco Die
The brutal murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco in 2004 shocked the community of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, where she lived and studied criminal justice at Northwestern State University.
Her disappearance from her parents’ house while they were away on a camping trip left her family and friends devastated, and her decomposed body was eventually found in an abandoned building in Winnie, Texas.
It was later revealed that Coco was smothered to death with a pillow, and her case remained unsolved for over 16 years until David Anthony Burns, her sister’s fiance and Coco’s secret boyfriend, was arrested and found guilty of second-degree murder.
Witnesses had come forward with statements alleging that Burns had admitted to the crime, a detail that was not revealed during the early stages of the investigation.
Coco was described as a bright and ambitious young woman, who was working as a receptionist at a dental office while pursuing her studies in criminal justice. Her tragic murder and the subsequent years of uncertainty and unanswered questions were a constant source of pain and frustration for her family and friends.
Who Killed Courtney Coco
The investigation into Coco’s murder went on for years, with no real breakthroughs in the case. However, in April 2021, David Anthony Burns was indicted and arrested in connection with her death. Burns, who was dating Coco’s sister at the time and seeing her on the side, had managed to keep authorities off his tracks for over 16 years.
During the trial, witnesses came forward alleging that Burns had admitted to the crime, a detail that was not revealed during the early stages of the investigation. Burns was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in November 2022.
How Did Got Away With Courtney Coco’s Murder for 16 Years
David Anthony Burns, the man who was convicted for the murder of Courtney Coco, managed to evade authorities for over 16 years after committing the crime. There were several factors that contributed to this, including the lack of physical evidence linking him to the murder and the fact that he had no prior criminal record.
Initially, when Coco’s body was found in an abandoned building in Texas in 2004, the case went cold due to a lack of leads. It wasn’t until 2011 that individuals came forward with statements claiming that Burns had made incriminating remarks about killing Coco. However, there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest him at the time.
Another factor that allowed Burns to evade capture for so long was his close relationship with Coco’s family. He was reportedly dating Coco’s sister at the time of the murder and had become very close with the family. He even served as a pallbearer at Coco’s funeral, which may have helped him avoid suspicion.
Where is David Anthony Burns now?
As of the latest information available, David Anthony Burns is still incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, where he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Courtney Coco.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Burns was convicted of second-degree murder in November 2022, after being arrested and indicted in April 2021 for the crime.
While there was no physical evidence linking Burns to Coco’s murder, a witness came forward who claimed to have seen Burns backing out of the building where Coco’s body was later found.
Burns had been named as a suspect as early as 2011, but there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest him until the key witness was found. Despite his claims of innocence, Burns will remain in prison for the rest of his life.
Conclusion
The murder of Courtney Coco was a tragedy that impacted many lives and left a lasting scar on the community. While the conviction of her killer cannot undo the damage caused, it does provide some sense of justice and closure for her family and friends. It also demonstrates the importance of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of justice, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Lacoon thanks you for reading this article.
