A man has admitted to killing his wife by dousing her in weed-eater gas and setting her on fire, bringing an emotional end to a case that devastated the victim’s family. On Nov. 13, Bruce Cockrell entered a negotiated guilty plea to first-degree murder and arson involving property valued between $2,500 and $5,000. Before the court announced his sentence, the victim’s sister, Nichole Smith, delivered a statement through tears, speaking directly to the man who killed her younger sister, Tonya Marie Liggin.
After her remarks, the judge handed down a severe sentence: 45 years for first-degree murder and an additional 30 years for arson. The terms will run consecutively, giving Cockrell a total of 75 years in prison. The crime took place on July 8, 2024, when deputies from the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office responded to a house fire in Fulton. When first responders arrived, they found Liggin suffering from extensive burns.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she told medical staff that Cockrell had poured weed-eater gas on her and then ignited it. Liggin was later transferred to the burn unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Her statement to medical workers became a key piece of evidence in the case.
Following Cockrell’s guilty plea and sentencing, Smith released a heartfelt message expressing her family’s relief and gratitude. “We are grateful for the outcome of this case and believe that justice has been served for our beloved Tonya. Our family extends our deepest appreciation to Ben Hale and the entire Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and compassion throughout this process,” she said.
She continued, explaining that while justice brings some comfort, it cannot fill the loss left behind. “While no verdict can bring Tonya back, we find comfort knowing that her voice was heard and that accountability has been achieved. We will continue to honor Tonya’s memory and focus on healing together as a family.” The sentencing marks a conclusion to a case that shocked the local community and left a family grieving a young woman whose life was taken in a brutal act of violence.