Billy Tabor and Colby Eisel face charges related to the death of Janice Cook, a 43-year-old Missouri woman reported missing in April. Tabor, 70, is accused of first-degree murder, while both men are charged with abandonment of a corpse. Authorities recovered remains believed to be Cook's on Tabor's property.
Janice Cook was reported missing on April 9 after her social media activity stopped following March 27. Her vehicle was found abandoned on March 28, with her dog located a mile away—details her family said were out of character, as she would never leave the pet behind. Phone records placed her last known location in Windsor, Missouri, where she had contacted Tabor, who lived nearby. Tabor confirmed to police that Cook visited his residence briefly in the early hours of March 28 but claimed she left after a couple of hours without specifying a time. A witness later told authorities he arrived at Tabor's property at 2 a.m. that day and saw Tabor pacing agitatedly while Cook lay on the ground, appearing deceased. According to the probable cause statement, Tabor tied ropes to her body and a Honda CR-V to drag it down the property, then enlisted the witness to dig a grave. They wrapped the body in black fabric and buried it in a large hole. Tabor allegedly threatened the witness with a black revolver to move Cook's vehicle and belongings to Johnson County, expressing frustration with her beforehand. Tabor reportedly told an unnamed woman there was no need to worry about 'J.J.'—Cook's nickname—and laughed when asked if he killed her. On April 30, information from a neighboring county led police to the witness, who guided them to the burial site. The Henry County Sheriff's Office recovered human remains they believe are Cook's, pending forensic confirmation, and notified her family. Tabor was arrested Friday on charges of first-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse, invoking his right to counsel. Eisel, 39, faces abandonment of a corpse. Tabor is held without bond, with a bond hearing scheduled for May 5 in Henry County Jail. Eisel is held on $250,000 cash-only bond.