Not guilty plea entered in Fayetteville killing

 Kevin Cook
Kevin Cook

FAYETTEVILLE -- A man charged with accomplice to first-degree murder in the death of a roommate pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Kevin Cook, 40, was given an initial court appearance of March 14 before Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor.

Cook and his wife, Nicole Cook, were both charged with accomplice to first-degree murder in the death of Heather Hill.

Washington Regional Medical Center staff told police Hill was unresponsive when she arrived at the hospital Nov. 26 and had "several suspicious marks" on her body, according to a preliminary arrest report.

An autopsy at the state crime laboratory determined Hill, 40, died from strangulation. The medical examiner noted injuries to her neck that "could not have been self-inflicted," according to the arrest report. The medical examiner noted a minor injury to the top of her head.

Nicole Cook told police her husband and Hill were fighting and he choked Hill, according to the arrest report. She added Kevin Cook was "throwing [Hill] around like a rag doll." She said Kevin had hurt her before and she was afraid of him.

Nicole Cook, 35, of 2375 N. Hummingbird Lane pleaded not guilty in December to accomplice to first-degree murder. She was given a Feb. 28 court date, also before Taylor.

NW News on 01/12/2017

Upcoming Events