Two Windsor men are behind bars in Henry County for their alleged involvement in the suspected murder of missing person Janice Cook.
Billy Ray Tabor, 70, is charged with first-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse, while Colby Dean Eisel, 39, is charged with the abandonment of a corpse.
Henry County Sheriff Aaron Brown said in a statement that he believes Cook’s body was recovered on property belonging to Tabor following a two-day search.
Court documents indicate Cook had not been heard from since March 28 and was reported missing on April 9.
“At this time, investigators have located and recovered a deceased individual following an extensive search effort,” Brown said in a statement. “Recovery operations have been conducted over the past two days [April 30 and May 1] during the execution of the search warrant. Based on the totality of the investigation, the deceased is believed to be Janice Cook, and contact has been made with her family. Additional forensic processing is ongoing to obtain a 100% positive identification.”
When Cook went missing March 28, her vehicle was located with its keys inside along a remote roadway in Johnson County. Cook’s dog was located a mile south.
Probable cause states that Tabor was one of the final people to be contacted by Cook.
When reached by authorities on April 13, Tabor admitted to being in contact with Cook over the phone before she visited his residence.
Tabor indicated Cook arrived after midnight and stayed until 2 or 3 a.m. He stated she did not provide her next destination before leaving, but mentioned possibly going to the Leeton area.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities learned Tabor told a third party that they "Would not have to worry” about Cook anymore.
Court documents state a Henry County Sheriff's Office review of an interview conducted by the Johnson County Sheriff's Office revealed that Eisel observed Cook’s vehicle at Tabor’s residence the morning of March 28.
At approximately 2 a.m., Eisel observed Tabor pacing back and forth before observing a body.
Eisel told law enforcement that Tabor then went to get ropes before attaching them to the body and a vehicle. From there, Tabor drove the vehicle near water before summoning the Eisel.
Court documents say Tabor went on to state they needed to dig a grave. Eisel said he assisted, placed the body in a black knitted fabric and put the body into the grave.
Tabor threatened Eisel after demanding that he remove the victim’s vehicle. Eisel stated he drove the vehicle onto a rural roadway before removing the dog.
Eisel told law enforcement he frequently observed Tabor going into a wooded area and returning with a shovel in the days following.
In the overnight hours of April 30 and May 1, authorities searched the area where the victim was believed to be buried, including property belonging to Tabor.
Court documents state authorities located the burial site via a distinct odor and positive alerts from two cadaver dogs.
Authorities questioned Tabor again on May 1. He denied involvement and requested a lawyer.
Tabor is being held without bond in the Henry County Jail.
Eisel is being held on a $250,000 bond.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Emergency Management, Johnson County Emergency Management, Integrity K-9 Services, Windsor Four County Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and additional agencies.
“The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing accurate and responsible information to the public,” Brown said. “During active investigations, our priority remains on following leads and deploying all available personnel and resources, which may delay public updates. We do not issue formal releases until a deceased individual is presumptively identified through investigative and forensic processes, rather than speculation. Most importantly, we ensure that family notifications are made and conversations occur prior to any public release, out of respect for those affected.”
Brown's release states the investigation is ongoing.
