Jonathan Jones; Kaitlyn Coones.Photo:Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (2)
Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (2)
Nearly one month after authorities began searching for a missing Ohio woman, her adult son and his teenage girlfriend were arrested on May 8 in connection with the woman’s death.
Kaitlyn Coones, 17, has been charged with aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of 53-year-old Nicole Jones,PEOPLE previously reported.Last Friday, she appeared in court, where a judge ruled she would be tried as an adult.
On May 5, officers with the Sylvania Township Police Department searched for Nicole Jones, 53, at her condo in Sylvania Township, near Toledo, but were unable to find her, the department said in a statement. While her body has yet to be found, authorities believe Nicole is dead.
Then, on May 8, theU.S. Marshals Serviceannounced that it had apprehended Nicole’s 33-year-old son, Jonathan Jones, in Mexico and found Coones, who was subsequently arrested on May 13.
Prosecutors allege Coones confessed to the killing and provided details that would lead them to believe Nicole’s presumed death may have been because she disapproved of the couple’s relationship.
Here’s what we know.
Coones Went Missing in April
On April 11, Coones went missing from the foster home where she was living and moved in with Jonathan Jones and his mother Nicole in Sylvania Township, Ohio.
Jonathan Had Been Convicted of Having a Sexual Relationship with Coones
Prior to the alleged murder, Jonathan had been convicted in March because of his relationship with Coones when she was 15,ABC 13,News 19and theSentinel-Tribunereport.
Prosecutors said he had sex with Coones and planned to sell pictures of them having sex, according to the outlets.
Considered a fugitive from justice, Jonathan had evaded sentencing for convictions on convictions of pandering obscene material and child endangerment, prosecutors toldABC 13.
Coones Allegedly Killed Nicole After Jonathan Refused Her Ultimatum
She had allegedly given Jonathan five hours to kill his mother, threatening to end their relationship if he didn’t, prosecutors allege, ABC 13 reports.
When Jonathan did not kill his mother, Coones took it upon herself to murder her, prosecutors claim, per News 19. Coones allegedly “went outside and retrieved a rock,” Lucas County Prosecutor Andy Lastra reportedly said.
“When Nicole Jones was standing in front of the refrigerator in the kitchen, unaware of Kaitlyn’s presence, she bludgeoned Nicole Jones a number of times and strangled her,” Lastra alleged, according to News 19.
Prosecutors allege that Coones and Jonathan dumped Nicole’s body in a dumpster behind an apartment complex that was taken to a landfill, theCanton Repositoryreports.
Coones and Jonathan Fled to Mexico
Shortly after the alleged murder, Coones and Jonathan fled to Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
During the trip to Mexico, Coones allegedly confessed to killing Nicole, Patty Wardrop, an assistant prosecuting attorney on the case, told ABC 13.
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On May 8,the U.S. Marshals ServiceMissing Child Unit apprehended Jonathan in Mexico and located Coones five days later.
Jonathan reportedly failed to disarm the GPS tracking device he was wearing after his conviction in March, which helped authorities find him, News 19 reports.
In addition to the charges against Coones, Jonathan was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, PEOPLE previously reported. He remains held in jail. His bond was set at $1.125 million.
Nicole Jones’ Body Still Hasn’t Been Found
The search for Nicole’s body continues as prosecutors seek to establish their case.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
