Two men from Texas have been arrested in connection to the murder of a 24-year-old man, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave around Christmas, according to law enforcement officials in the Lone Star State.
Arrest of Chase Cook and Alexander James Nicholas
Chase Cook, 23, and Alexander James Nicholas, 23, have been charged with murder, according to the Fort Worth Police Department. The arrests were made several months apart in relation to the stabbing death of John Richardson, who was found dead in December 2025.
Timeline of Events and Investigation
The investigation into Richardson’s disappearance began in late November 2025. On November 30, the victim was last seen leaving a party with Nicholas. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News, Nicholas allegedly told detectives that he left Richardson at a specific location while Richardson was still alive. The victim, however, was supposed to be dropped off at his girlfriend’s house but never made it there.
Discovery of the Body
On December 22, 2025, detectives found Richardson’s body in a wooded area of Fort Worth, located in Denton County. The search quickly escalated from a missing person case to a homicide investigation.
Nicholas’ Conflicting Statements
In the weeks following the incident, Nicholas allegedly told a witness that “John wouldn’t be coming around anymore” and made a hand gesture indicating a gun. This prompted further questions about what had happened to Richardson. In a chilling admission, Nicholas allegedly nodded when asked if he killed Richardson and suggested that they could go into the woods and turn off their phones to discuss what had transpired.
Cook’s Role and Statements
Cook’s involvement in the crime came to light when police learned that he had been with Nicholas the night of the murder. Cook, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, claimed he could not remember whether anyone else was in the car when Nicholas met with him. However, his girlfriend later revealed that Cook had received a text from Nicholas on the night of the party, prompting him to leave the house and go help Nicholas.
According to the affidavit, Cook later confessed to his girlfriend that he and Nicholas had dug a six-foot hole in the woods the night of the incident.
Evidence and Phone Data
Authorities solidified their case against the two men by obtaining cellphone location data. This evidence placed both Nicholas and Cook, along with Richardson, at or near the house in the same wooded area where the victim’s body was found.
Cause of Death
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Richardson died from a combination of stabbing wounds and blunt force trauma to his head.
Current Status of the Accused
Nicholas is currently being held in the Tarrant County jail on a $300,000 bond, while Cook is detained on a $250,000 bond.
