Man sentenced in murder of Columbus woman found dead on side of road in Phenix City

A man has been sentenced in Russell County after being found guilty in April of murder and abuse of a corpse in the October 2022 death of a Columbus woman in Phenix City, according to Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey.

Chancey told the Ledger-Enquirer Jason Cole was sentenced on Friday to life without parole in the killing of 41-year-old Rachael Marie Mixson.

Mixson was found dead on the roadside in Phenix City and had jumper cables and a USB cord wrapped around her neck, a detective testified in a preliminary hearing in January 2023.

In April, Chancey said it was determined Mixson was killed by blunt-force head trauma and strangulation by Cole, who was her boyfriend at the time.

In the preliminary hearing, Cpl. Issan Duke said a friend told police the relationship between Mixson and Cole was troubled. Duke also testified that Mixson’s face was battered.

Cole also received a life sentence for the charge of abuse of a corpse, according to Chancey.

Kelby Hutchison

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.