Cold Case Files: Murder in the Bayou – Evil in Cajun Country

Host: Paula Barros
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Duration: Approximately 38 minutes

1. Introduction and Case Overview

Cold Case Files, hosted by Paula Barros, delves into one of the most perplexing unsolved murders in Cajun country—the tragic case of Courtney Coco. This episode explores the intricate investigation that spans over 15 years, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by Courtney's family and dedicated investigators.

2. Discovery of Courtney Coco's Body

On the morning of October 4, 2004, in the small farming community of Winnie, Texas, a farmer stumbled upon an abandoned building while passing by on his tractor. Inside, he discovered the posed body of a young woman, later identified as 19-year-old Courtney Coco.

• Detective Tanner Dryden's Observation [00:48]: "She was nude from the waist down. It was evident that the body was posed."
• Hugo Holland on the Victim's Identity [02:31]: "It was very clear that this was the body of a petite young white female."

The discovery sent shockwaves through the low-crime community, where everyone knew each other, making the questions of "Who would want to hurt somebody?" pervasive.

3. Initial Investigation and Evidence Collection

The investigation began with determining whether the murder was a result of a random burglary or something more personal. Key evidence included:

• Courtney's Class Ring [03:23]: A class ring from Alexandria High School with the name "Courtney Coco" was found, confirming the victim's identity.
• Absence of Forced Entry [09:08]: "What we did not find was evidence of forced entry. What that means is that she let the person into the house. It’s somebody she knew."
• Missing Items [09:15]: Courtney's cell phone and Pontiac Bonneville were missing, suggesting a potential robbery motive.

Despite these findings, initial suspects, including Courtney's friends Jackie and Lewis, were ruled out as they provided consistent alibis. Her boyfriend, Jiddy, also presented a solid alibi, leaving investigators with limited leads.

• Detective Dryden on Lack of Motive [11:08]: "At that point, they're out of people that they know were with Courtney the day she was last seen. And they don't have any motive that they know of for Courtney to have been killed."

4. Family's Struggle and Determination

Courtney's mother, Stephanie Belgard, alongside other family members, grappled with the loss and the slow progress of the investigation. Their determination led them to seek external help to reignite the stalled case.

• Stephanie Belgard on Family's Perseverance [01:12]: "We never stopped. We never stopped looking. We never stopped asking questions. In all those years, we never stopped."
• Stephanie's Commitment [25:14]: "I was still in shock. I was still in denial."

5. Involvement of Investigative Consultant Woody Overton

Determined to find answers, Stephanie engaged Woody Overton, an investigative consultant with over two decades of law enforcement experience, to assist in reopening the case.

• Woody Overton's Dedication [21:25]: "I said, I'm gonna solve this case or I'm gonna die trying."
• Overton's Approach [21:19]: "We’re going to establish a hotline where people can call in tips."

Overton's methodical approach and willingness to revisit old leads proved instrumental in generating new evidence and uncovering critical information.

6. Breakthroughs and New Evidence

A significant breakthrough came when Courtney's cell phone usage was traced to an apartment in Houston, leading investigators to a two-week gap between her disappearance and the discovery of her body.

• Cell Phone Tracking [15:28]: "More than 200 miles away from bayou country, someone is using Courtney's cell phone in a place where she has no known connections. Houston, Texas."
• Recovery of the Pontiac Bonneville [16:35]: Courtney's car was found in Houston, containing her DNA, solidifying the connection between the vehicle and her murder.

Despite locating the car, identifying the individuals involved—referred to as "Tree" and "Red"—remained elusive, creating a dead-end in the investigation.

• Forensic Evidence [18:29]: "Technicians compare Courtney's DNA to the blood stains. One is a match."

7. Public Engagement and Reopening the Case

Overton's efforts to engage the public through a podcast proved pivotal. Listener Tiffany provided crucial information, identifying David Anthony Burns—the fiancé of Courtney's sister, Lace—as the person implicated in the murder.

• Tiffany's Revelation [22:06]: "Tiffany says, 'My ex-husband was the killer’s best friend. Seamus.'"
• Burns' Connection [22:15]: "David Anthony Burns was missing that weekend Courtney had been murdered."

This led to renewed focus on Burns, whose evasive behavior and inconsistent alibis further aroused suspicion.

• Overton's Realization [27:42]: "There's no other possibility, in my professional opinion, than David Anthony Burns murdering Courtney Coco."

8. The Trial and Conviction

Prosecutor Hugo Holland built a case based on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence, including Burns' failed computer voice stress analysis test indicating deception.

• Voice Stress Analysis [29:59]: "Anthony failed the voice stress analysis test."
• Jude Wilson's Testimony [31:36]: "Jude... saw Burns... and identified him from a sketch."

Despite the lack of physical evidence directly linking Burns to the murder, the accumulation of testimonies and Burns' own inconsistencies led to his conviction.

• Jury Verdict [36:02]: "The jury comes back with a unanimous verdict of guilty for David Anthony Burns for second-degree murder and the death of Courtney Coco."

Burns was sentenced to life in prison, bringing a semblance of justice to Courtney's family after years of uncertainty.

9. Aftermath and Reflections

The resolution of Courtney Coco's case brought mixed emotions to her family. While justice was served, questions about the exact circumstances of her death remained unanswered.

• Stephanie Belgard's Reflection [36:25]: "I still don't know how Courtney died. I don't know where Courtney died."
• Family's Quest for Truth [37:05]: "I will one day get Anthony to tell me what he really did to Courtney."

Stephanie's commitment to advocating for other victims underscores the enduring impact of Courtney's life and death.

• Stephanie on Advocacy [38:16]: "I felt a calling to be a victim's advocate... Courtney pushes me forward to keep going."

10. Conclusion

Murder in the Bayou: Evil in Cajun Country encapsulates the relentless pursuit of truth and justice by Courtney Coco's family and dedicated investigators. It underscores the complexities of solving cold cases and the profound resilience required to seek closure. Paula Barros masterfully narrates this harrowing journey, honoring Courtney's memory and the unwavering hope that drives cold case resolutions.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephanie Belgard on the Impact of the Murder [12:08]: "I sat next to my dad and I said, 'Daddy, you're my rock. You're my rock and I need you.'"

• Detective Tanner Dryden on Positional Evidence [03:02]: "Who would want to hurt somebody to this point, degrade them to this point? That has to be a sick individual. Who, who, who did this?"

• Woody Overton's Emotional Connection [20:29]: "I still have dreams and nightmares of this case... I keep asking myself, what could you have done different?"

• David Rabelais on the Case's Complexity [36:25]: "I do not think it can be solved. I know it can't be solved without the help of the public."

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of community involvement and persistence in solving cold cases.
• Advances in forensic technology can provide new avenues for investigation years after the crime.
• The emotional toll on families and investigators underscores the human element behind criminal cases.
• Collaborative efforts between families, consultants, and law enforcement can eventually lead to justice, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Cold Case Files continues to shed light on unsolved mysteries, providing hope and closure to affected families while highlighting the tireless work of those committed to uncovering the truth.