An Arkansas man who initially blamed faulty wiring for a fire that killed his wife will spend decades in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
Bruce Lee Cockrell, 48, was sentenced Thursday to 75 years behind bars after pleading guilty to murder and arson in connection with the 2024 death of his wife, Tonya Marie Liggin-Cockrell, 35. Court documents obtained by Law&Crime reveal that Cockrell poured “weed eater gas” on his wife following an argument on the night of July 8, 2024. When first responders arrived at the home, he initially claimed the fire was caused by faulty electrical work.
However, Liggin-Cockrell, who had escaped the burning home, was able to tell police what had really happened. She suffered burns over nearly her entire body but was still conscious and talking when first responders arrived. Cockrell even assisted paramedics in loading her onto a backboard before she was transported to a hospital in Texarkana, Texas. Deputies noted that Cockrell had no burns, despite claiming he had been in bed with his wife when the fire started.
Initially, Cockrell told authorities that the fire was caused by electrical work installed by the previous homeowner. Police later found a jug of weed eater gas in the kitchen, which Cockrell said was leftover from work he had done on a weed eater.
After Liggin-Cockrell was taken to the hospital, a nurse reported that she had told her: “He poured weed eater gas on me and set me on fire.” Despite being at the scene with police, Cockrell continued to deny involvement, claiming the fire was electrical. The nurse said Liggin-Cockrell repeatedly told staff, “He set me on fire, he set me on fire,” and described being physically assaulted by Cockrell before the fire.
The following day, Cockrell admitted the truth to police. He described an argument over whiskey, their children, finances, his unemployment, and past relationships. He said he grabbed a jug of weed eater gas and poured it on his wife while she sat on the side of their bed. He claimed she then lit a cigarette despite his warning, igniting herself before running out of the house.
Liggin-Cockrell was transferred to a burn unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she died from her injuries on July 9, 2024. Police noted that during his confession, Cockrell asked, “How’d she stay alive so long?”
Cockrell faced charges of capital murder and arson. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to 45 years for murder and 30 years for arson, to be served consecutively, totaling 75 years in prison.