Life in prison for man sentenced in rape, murder of Jensen woman whose body found in septic tank – TCPalm

The state is seeking the death penalty against Keoki Hilo Demich, who allegedly killed a woman and put her in a septic tank in February. He kept changing his story, and the more evidence came out, the more obvious it became that he was not telling the truth.

The report states that surveillance video shows Demich walking several times toward and away from the area where the victim’s Jeep was found. Flowers and candles were outside Cole’s home on Monday.

Keoki Hilo Demich, 34, was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Cynthia Cole. He was also sentenced for grand theft and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

Prosecutors declared their intent to seek a state execution for Demich, of Stuart, a day after a Martin County grand jury indicted him of first-degree murder in the homicide of Cole. Demich stood as three of Cole’s children addressed the court.

Demich went to Cole’s home in Jensen Beach and waited for her to arrive home before slamming her into a door and sexually battering her. He then drowned her and sexually abused her again.

Demich accepted responsibility for killing Cynthia Cole, and will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to the assistant public defender.

Cole’s friends reported her missing after she disappeared Feb. 24, and investigators determined Demich had been a “longtime friend” of Cole’s. Demich was interviewed several times before and after Cole’s body was discovered.

After the court proceeding, Denton said hastened resolutions to homicides have occurred, and that Johnny Manord accepted a negotiated plea deal in which he would serve three consecutive life sentences.

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