By WTVG Staff
Published: Jun. 4, 2024 at 2:51 PM EDT
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Two people accused of killing a Sylvania Township mother and working together to dispose of her body took plea deals and were sentenced on Tuesday.
Kaitlyn Coones, 18, and Jonathon Jones, 33, were convicted in the death of Nicole Jones on June 4 when they took plea deals in the case. Both pleaded no contest to Aggravated Murder and Abuse of a Corpse. Judge Gary Cook sentenced both to life in prison with the eligibility of parole after 25 years.
Jonathon Jones is the son of Nicole Jones. He was dating Coones at the time of the murder.
Investigators say Coones was staying at the Jones’ Sylvania Township home in 2023 without the mother’s knowledge. Prosecutors alleged Coones gave her boyfriend, Jonathon Jones, an ultimatum to kill his mother Nicole within five hours because she was interfering in their relationship. When he failed to do so after another four hour extension, officials say the two beat Nicole Jones over the head with a rock and strangled her.
Detectives testified they drove to two local stores and bought a tarp and trash bags to wrap the body and clean the kitchen. They allegedly drove to a nearby apartment complex and dumped the body in a dumpster. Police do not believe Jones’ body will ever be recovered.
“In their recorded interviews both defendants detailed wrapping the body of Nicole Jones and tarps and placing her in the trunk of her own vehicle. The two of them had to dinner with the body of Nicole Jones still in the truck of the vehicle,” said Jennifer Liptack-Wilson, the prosecutor.
The two suspects then fled to Mexico, where they were eventually arrested.
Nicole Jones’ brother told the judge that his sister was a beacon of light.
“The agony of losing Nicki is compounded by the unimaginable betrayal we feel,” Robert Jones said in court. “We are denied the closure that comes with laying a loved one to rest, and we are haunted by unanswered questions and horrific imaginings of her final moments.”
Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates called the incident a horrific event.
“We are relieved to reach a resolution in this case. We hope this brings some measure of peace to Nicole Jones’s family. May her memory forever live in their hearts,” said Bates in a statement.
Before the plea deal, Coones was originally charged as an adult on numerous counts including Aggravated Murder, Murder, Abuse of a Corpse, Felonious Assault and Tampering with Evidence. Jonathon Jones was originally charged with two counts of Aggravated Murder, Murder, Felonious Assault, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Robbery, Tampering with Evidence and Abuse of a Corpse.
Coones and Jones are now also at the center of a civil lawsuit. The administrator of Nicole Jones’ estate filed a wrongful death suit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. It seeks $25,000 in addition to punitive damages, costs and other relief as the courts see fit. You can read it in full at the end of this story.
Jones’ attorney said her client takes full responsbility for his actions. Coones’ attorney advised her not to make any comments because of the pending civil suit.
Previous coverage
- I-TEAM Sylvania Twp. murder suspects may be working to give false info to investigators
- Bond set for teen who allegedly gave boyfriend 5 hours to kill his mother, then did it herself
- Teen accused of strangling, bludgeoning Sylvania Twp. woman with a rock indicted on slew of charges
- Police: Teen gave 33-year-old boyfriend 5 hours to kill his mother, but ended up doing it herself
- Son charged in Sylvania Twp. woman’s death
- Convict who fled the country with his mother’s alleged killer is back in Wood County
- Family of murdered Sylvania Twp. woman criticizes efforts to find her body
- Prosecutors looking to try teen accused of killing Sylvania Twp. woman as an adult
- Teenage girl charged with murdering missing Sylvania Township woman
- Juvenile charged in Sylvania Township woman’s murder
- Missing Sylvania Twp. mother connected to kidnapping suspect killed, police say
- Police: Missing, hurt Sylvania Twp. woman connected to kidnapping suspect who fled to Mexico
- Police: Missing Sylvania Township woman believed to be harmed
- Ohio kidnapping suspect arrested, missing girl found in Mexico
- New charges against teen accused of killing Sylvania Twp. woman, charges expected against victim’s son
Wrongful death lawsuit by 13abc on Scribd
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