Man admits to killing Black River Falls woman
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) - A 23-year-old Neillsville man has been charged with first degree intentional homicide in the death of a 30-year-old woman at the Black River Falls Pet Park in the Town of Brockway.
According to the criminal complaint, John B. Cook admitted to stabbing Jacinda Muir, of Black River Falls, on the morning of Sunday, May 17 after stealing a bag of meth from her and prodding her into the wooded area using his knife.
A man called 911 at about 11:05 a.m. Sunday after noticing Muir in the woods lying on her stomach in a large pool of blood.
In an interview with a Jackson County Sheriff’s deputy, Cook initially said he did not know the last time he saw Muir. Later, Cook told authorities they went to the pet park and walked around a bit and talked, which turned into an argument.
“The next thing I knew, I had a knife in my hand and I’m just going to town,” Cook told authorities.
Cook stated he didn’t want to be out in the open because he was just going to beat up Muir, but it escalated and he stabbed her. While in the interview alone and still being recorded, Cook stated he was “sorry, Jacinda, I hope you forgive me. I killed you. I keep seeing it over and over. I hope you forgive me. I hope you’re in a better place.”
The criminal complaint states when Cook was arrested, he had clothing with him that was stained with what appeared to be blood. Law enforcement also noticed cuts on his fingers.
A forensic pathologist with the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of Muir’s death to be multiple stab wounds to the torso and neck and that the manner of death was a homicide.
A $1 million cash bond was set on Friday for Cook. His initial appearance is scheduled for June 15.