A ππ½πΈπΈππΎππ crime has led to a life sentence for a young man who brutally killed his former boss, a 67-year-old garden center owner, in a chilling act of violence. Edward Koza was discovered tied up in his truck, which had been set ablaze, leaving investigators with a haunting scene to unravel.
In May 2025, authorities responded to a fire at the garden center owned by Koza, only to find him inside his vehicle, bound and with his mouth taped shut. Reports indicate that he had suffered fatal blunt force trauma, and the investigation quickly turned into a murder case.
As detectives delved deeper, they uncovered a disturbing narrative. Koza had been robbed prior to his death, with hundreds of thousands of dollars reportedly stolen from his home in the weeks leading up to the tragedy. Sources claim that he suspected Jonah Poole, an 18-year-old who had briefly worked for him, of the theft.
Surveillance footage played a pivotal role in identifying Poole and his accomplice, 18-year-old Kylee Alyssa Dakes, as suspects. Further evidence emerged in the form of a cellphone video recorded by Poole, showing him pouring gasoline into Kozaβs truck and igniting it. In a chilling exchange of messages on Snapchat, Poole allegedly remarked, βIt went so well,β after the crime.
On May 31, 2025, both Poole and Dakes were arrested and faced multiple charges, including first- and second-degree murder. Poole later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to first-degree murder in March. He was sentenced to life in prison on June 26, with the possibility of parole.
Dakes, who has pleaded not guilty, is set to stand trial separately in December. Poole, reflecting on his actions during sentencing, expressed remorse, stating, βI think I deserve whatever I get. β¦ I hope God can forgive me, because I donβt think I deserve it from anyone else.β
In addition to his life sentence, Poole is required to forfeit $215,000 that he allegedly stole from Koza, along with a truck he purchased using the stolen funds. As this tragic story unfolds, many are left wondering what will happen next in the case against Dakes.