MCS Report #383
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: Franklin County Sheriff’s Department
Date of Activation: 05/10/2005
Commander and Department: Lt. Jerry Burke, Florissant PD
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Det. Scott Ecker, St. Louis Metropolitan PD
Victim: Stephen R. Cooksey
Suspects: Joseph Tyler Thompson and Ronald Coty Hernandez
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Stephen Cooksey. Deputies responded to a dirt path off of Enoch's Knob Road for a report of a burned vehicle. There they located the burned body of Stephen Cooksey (age 46). Stephen had been shot multiple times. His car was then parked over his body and set on fire. Stephen was identified through dental records.
As a result of this investigation, Joseph Thompson (age 19) was charged with Murder 1st Degree and Ronald Hernandez (age 21) was charged with Murder 2nd Degree. Additionally, they were both charged with Armed Criminal Action, Theft/Stealing, and Tampering With Motor Vehicle 1st Degree. Their bond was set at $1,000,000 each.
