A Pennsylvania man, Dakota Greeley, 23, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his girlfriend, Trisha Renee Cole, 25, and her unborn child. Greeley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and murder of an unborn child in July 2023, following the brutal killing of Cole in November 2023.
The Crime and Motive
On November 9, 2023, Greeley shot his pregnant girlfriend in the head with a 30/30 long rifle and ran her over with his pickup truck. Prior to the murder, Greeley had expressed anger over Cole’s pregnancy.
He made numerous hostile remarks, including saying that the pregnancy “ruined his life” and even suggesting he wanted to “kick and beat the child out of the victim.” After Cole had a check-up in late October 2023, Greeley allegedly asked, “Can we kill it now?” referring to the fetus.
Cole’s body remained hidden for over a month after her death as Greeley attempted to evade justice. The victim’s family grew concerned and reported Greeley to law enforcement, alerting them to his suicidal tendencies and desire to provoke a police response that would lead to his death.
Arrest and Confession
Greeley was arrested in December 2023 after a dramatic incident in which he fired at police before fleeing in his truck. After a brief chase, he crashed his vehicle and was arrested on foot.
During questioning, Greeley openly admitted to killing Cole, casually stating, “I f–ing shot her” and laughed when asked about the location of the murder weapon. Investigators soon discovered Cole’s body, which had tire marks on it, indicating that she had been run over after the shooting.
Legal Proceedings
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped several additional charges, including charges of criminal homicide, third-degree murder, and abuse of a corpse.
Myhre-Schnell’s plea deal led to the dismissal of some charges, but he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He also avoided the aggravating factor that Cole was particularly vulnerable due to her pregnancy.
A Tragic Loss
Trisha Renee Cole is remembered fondly in her obituary, with loved ones mourning her loss and the violence that took her life. The tragic case highlights the disturbing impact of domestic violence, especially involving a pregnant woman, and the lasting consequences of such horrific actions.
Dakota Greeley’s sentence reflects the gravity of his crime. His violent actions, motivated by anger and resentment toward his girlfriend’s pregnancy, led to a tragic loss of life. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the need for greater awareness and intervention.
