Wasilla woman kills man, asks for help burying body

KNIK-FAIRVIEW — A 27-year-old woman allegedly shot a 76-year-old man Easter Sunday, then walked barefoot from his house to a nearby residence to ask for help burying the body, authorities said.

Authorities later found Phillip Gray of Wasilla in a nearby house dead of an apparent gunshot wound, and April Lindsay Cox of Wasilla has been charged with second-degree murder.

The first reports of the shooting occurred about 1 p.m., April 5 according to the affidavit. Alaska State Troopers arrested Cox later that day around 10:30 p.m., according to Trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen.

Cox also asked a resident near the apparent scene of the shooting along Horizon Drive for a ride to the end of Knik-Goose Bay Road — where Goose Bay Airport is located — to catch a flight out of the area. However, scheduled flights do not depart from the Goose Bay Airport.

Witnesses say when Cox had emerged barefoot from the woods along Overlook Drive. She had a sock wrapped around one hand and was carrying a purse, witnesses told troopers who responded to a 911 call of a shooting in the area.

Cox’s hands had blood on them, according to the affidavit.

After speaking with one group of witnesses, Cox approached another house while one of the other witnesses followed her in a pickup truck, according to the affidavit.

The homeowner at the next house threatened to call 911 if Cox did not leave, but Cox apparently entered the residence, saying people outside had a gun. The homeowner didn’t see a gun, but called 911 anyway, according to the affidavit. Cox asked the homeowner whether she could use the bathroom.

Cox told troopers she’d left a handgun and a cordless phone in the bathroom. Troopers say they tracked the phone back to Gray’s house, where they found him dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

At her arraignment Monday afternoon before magistrate judge Tara Logsdon, Cox repeatedly maintained she had shot someone — she did not mention Gray by name — in self-defense.

“It’s self-defense,” Cox said. “I don’t understand how I’m getting two counts of murder when all I did was —”

“Ma’am I strongly suggest that you exercise your right to remain silent,” Logsdon interrupted. “They’re charging under two different theories.”

Shortly after being told prosecutors were seeking $100,000 cash bail with court-appointed third-party requirements, Cox became irate.

“It was self-defense,” she said. “He pointed the gun at me first and I’m getting charged with this (expletive).”

Logsdon attempted to repeat her earlier suggestion that Cox remain silent.

“Wouldn’t you be upset if you were sitting in these shoes, too?” she snapped.

“You’re not helping your case ma’am,” Logsdon responded.

If found guilty, Cox faces a minimum of 10 years prison time, Logsdon noted.

Cox eventually left moments before the hearing was completed.

“Do you have any questions, ma’am?” Logsdon said, to Cox’s retreating back.

During Cox’s arraignment, authorities also discussed an additional case with some connection to Gray’s murder.

Janelle M. Marquis was arraigned on one count each of DUI, driving with a suspended license, and violating conditions of release. She received $5,000 bail with court-appointed third-party custodial requirements.

Marquis was reportedly arrested while driving Cox’s truck and leaving the scene of the murder at a high rate of speed, said assistant District Attorney Mike Perry. Marquis admitted to using methamphetamines, Perry said.

“The state has limited information at this time, but from the responses of Ms. Cox at the time, there was concern she was either under the influence, or that she probably had some mental health issues,” he said. “Frankly, from the responses I’m getting here today, it’s looking more and more likely to me that it is controlled substance use.”

Marquis was arraigned shortly after Cox, and sobbed when she sat in front of the camera connecting the courthouse with Mat-Su Pretrial.

Investigators were still trying to determine any possible connection between Marquis and the shooting, Perry said.

Cox has two previous confirmed misdemeanor cases, both fourth-degree assault, one in April 2014, and the other in November 2014. Marquis has a single felony conviction for forgery in 2009, court records show.

Both remained in Mat-Su Pretrial Monday evening.

Contact Brian O’Connor at 352-2269, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.