Cox Family

Felicia Wells Cox was always looking for love. Even after a few attempts at a happily ever after she remained confident that the one was out there. Suddenly, she finds that special love and marries Jeff Cox. During their brief engagement, family members cautioned, “that Cox family is bad news… Jeff, David, even their old man!” Doe-eyed and in love, Felicia ignored these concerns and eventually the Wells family settled into the reality of being in-laws with Pontotoc County, Mississippi’s most feared and powerful families. An added benefit of marrying Jeff was inheriting a wonderful sister-in-law, Kim, who was married to Jeff’s brother David Neal Cox. The two became fast friends, inseparable to the point of annoying! David Neal Cox, who grew irritated with having to share his wife’s time with someone else. Shortly after the marriage, Jeff Cox finds himself in prison. Nevertheless, Felicia remains committed to their relationship and visits him frequently with the help of Kim and David who provide transportation to the county prison. The dark side of the Cox family reveals itself over time, and with her husband behind bars, Felicia begins to realize that she is in over her head. As time passes, Felicia becomes intimately aware of the local drug trade run by the Cox family. Word travels fast in a small town, so Felicia stifles the desire to share her concerns with anyone else besides Kim.

Although she was deeply uncomfortable in his presence, David Cox was the only family member with a car and would drive her to the county prison to see Jeff. In July of 2007, Felicia meets with David and Kim for their carpool to the county prison. Felicia never makes it to the visit and shortly thereafter is reported missing. Family members search tirelessly for Felicia. Three years pass without any movement in the investigation until suddenly word spreads that Kim Cox has been murdered, and David Cox is arrested for the crime. In 2012, David Neal Cox is tried and convicted for the murder of his late wife, Kim, is sentenced to death, and spends 9 years on death row awaiting his execution date. In the time leading up to his execution, family members, namely Felicia’s daughter, Amber, pleads with David to release any information that could lead to their missing loved one. They fear that any hope to find Felicia will die along with David. After David is executed in November of 2021, police notify Felicia’s family of a letter and a hand drawn map left by David, revealing where he buried the body of his sister-in-law. Felicia Cox’s body was successfully recovered in December of 2021. Despite an admission of guilt from David Neal Cox, neither he nor anyone else was ever charged with her murder.

LINK: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/map-executed-murderer-leads-likely-remains-sister-law-rcna8665