KGUN 9 Reporter Tina Giuliano will have more details on this developing story tonight at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.
Police say a man drove a Phoenix man to Tucson and killed him there, then tried to dismember and hide the body.
Phoenix police arrested 45-year-old John Cole in the murder of 28-year-old Antoine Smith.
According to police, Cole kidnapped Smith from his apartment on either Sept. 16 or 17. Family members told police they believed Smith owed a debt connected to Smith that could have led to his disappearance.
Police found Cole driving to California, stopped him and arrested him after finding human remains in the car.
Cole told police he killed Smith in self-defense. He led detectives to a rural area south of Tucson, where more of Smith's remains were found. Police say Cole bought items meant to dismember and hide Smith's body.
Remains were also found at a home on East Third Street in Tucson.
Cole was booked into Maricopa County Jail and faces charges including first-degree murder.
KGUN 9 has obtained court documents showing that an interim complaint was filed against Cole by his wife for acts of domestic violence committed in April of this year.
According to the document, Cole and his wife got into an argument during which time he became violent and attempted to strangle her. Authorities report that the injuries to her throat and neck were consistent with the details in the interim complaint.
A high bond was requested for Cole due to a statement he reportedly made to police, saying he would pay the bond and return to the victim's residence.
Cole's wife had filed a previous Order of Protection against him.
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Tina Giuliano is a reporter for KGUN 9. She is a native Arizonan and grew up in Scottsdale. Tina is passionate about storytelling and is excited to work telling Tucson's stories. Share your story ideas and important issues with Tina by emailing tina.giuliano@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Phil Villarreal is the senior real-time editor for KGUN 9. He is also a digital producer and host of "Phil on Film" seen weekly on Good Morning Tucson, Phil moved to KGUN after 17 years with the Arizona Daily Star. He is married and has four children. Share your story ideas and important issues with Phil by emailing phil.villarreal@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
