Fox News Editor Found Dead in Neighbor’s Closet

Joshua Cochran’s family reported him missing after they could not reach him over the weekend. Police initially checked his Alexandria apartment but found no sign of him. After the family contacted authorities again on Tuesday, investigators followed up on information that Cochran had spent time at a bar with his neighbor, John Stremple III.

Police said Stremple confessed when detectives approached him. Investigators searched his home and found Cochran’s body in a closet. The 44-year-old had suffered blunt force injuries to his head, authorities said. Stremple, 63, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Stremple is a registered sex offender and was found guilty in 2014 of sodomy involving a minor. Cochran’s family said they had not known Stremple, and described Cochran as someone who could easily strike up friendships with new people. His sister-in-law said he had moved to Alexandria to be nearer to his 8-year-old son.

Fox News Media said Cochran was a valued colleague and expressed sympathy for his family. His relatives remembered him as funny, intelligent and creative, and said he loved his son and dog. Stremple was booked into the Alexandria Detention Center, police said.