The Devil Woman of Michigan: Unraveling the Twisted Tale of Kelly Cochran

Kelly Cochran, a name now synonymous with deception and cold-blooded murder, isn’t your typical true crime figure. Her story, a labyrinth of ill-fated romance, secret pacts, and calculated cruelty, has captivated and horrified the public. Investigators, led by Jeremy Ogden, a detective sergeant at the time in Hobart, Indiana, and former Iron River, Michigan Police Chief Laura Frizzo Ogden, found themselves navigating a complex web of lies and manipulation, ultimately revealing a woman capable of unimaginable darkness.

The story begins with a marriage seemingly built on a foundation of morbid understanding. According to the investigation, Kelly and her husband Jason allegedly made a pact on their wedding night: should either of them engage in infidelity, it would be their responsibility to kill the involved party, or failing that, to eliminate the other spouse. A chilling agreement, it would later materialize into a series of tragic events that tested the limits of law enforcement and psychological investigation.

The first major crack in Cochran’s carefully constructed facade came with the death of Chris Regan, Kelly’s lover and co-worker. His disappearance and eventual murder triggered an investigation that would stretch across state lines and unearth a series of shocking revelations.

"Obviously, I found this very weird and odd, but it’s a part of the story. Whether it’s true or not, that’s between her and him and for us to try to figure it out in the end," Jeremy Ogden told Fox News Digital, reflecting on the strange wedding night agreement.

The Ogdens, who later became a couple themselves during the course of the investigation, worked tirelessly to piece together the puzzle. Their efforts were detailed in an exclusive interview ahead of the release of the Fox Nation documentary, "Love You To Death." Describing Cochran, Ogden painted a disturbing portrait: "Sick, twisted, manipulative, evil – Cochran was on a different level."

Following Regan’s death in Michigan, Kelly and Jason managed to evade law enforcement for two years. However, the reprieve was temporary. The case took a dramatic turn when Cochran called 911 in Indiana, reporting that Jason was unresponsive. His death only intensified the scrutiny on Kelly, leading investigators to believe a pattern was emerging.

Jeremy Ogden recognized that dealing with someone as cunning and sharp as Cochran required a different approach, including unconventional psychological tactics. In a bold move, he carved the phrase "CHRIS IS HERE" into a tree at a park Kelly frequented, hoping to trigger a reaction, to plant a seed of doubt and fear in her mind.

The tactic proved effective. Cochran eventually confessed to Regan’s murder, although she attempted to deflect blame onto Jason. This confession, however, was only the beginning. The investigators suspected a much larger scope to her crimes.

"I think that everyone needs to take into account that she spent a lot of time studying herself," Jeremy surmised. "Psychology, human behavior, forensics, all of these things are a nightmare in the interview room. All of them are, and you’re dealing with somebody who is well-educated and has a particular level of intelligence… It makes things a bit more difficult."

Cochran’s intelligence and self-awareness made her a formidable opponent. She understood the language of investigation, the nuances of interrogation, and the principles of psychology. This knowledge allowed her to construct elaborate defenses and manipulate those around her.

Laura Frizzo Ogden also faced unique challenges in dealing with Cochran. "I was the one she wanted to put through the wall," Laura told Fox News Digital. "From the very beginning, Kelly had a problem with me because I wasn’t coddling her like maybe the other detectives were."

Despite the initial animosity, a shift occurred after Cochran’s arrest and return to Michigan. "This was the night before she led me to Chris Regan’s remains, and I sat and talked to her in her jail cell for about two hours, and she told me about herself, her life. She went back and forth – between Jeremy and I – being victimized as a child, making her the way she is…"

However, during that pivotal conversation, Cochran made a chilling admission. "But that night in particular, she said, ‘No one made me. No incident made me the way I am. I was born this way, and this is who I am. I don’t feel feelings. I don’t feel sadness. I’m not remorseful,’" Laura recalled. "’Basically telling me she doesn’t care.’"

The realization that Cochran lacked empathy and remorse was a turning point in the investigation. It highlighted the profound darkness that resided within her and underscored the difficulty in understanding her motives. Laura described it as "bizarre" how she began to feel sorry for Cochran despite her growing disdain for the criminal.

The complexities of the case were further amplified by the dynamic between Jeremy and Laura. "I knew what she had done and how evil she was, and I knew that I could not communicate with her in any positive way to gain anything while she was portraying that person, because I was too angry — where Jeremy had the ability to put that out of his mind and do what he had to do to get the job done."

The shared experience of investigating Kelly Cochran ultimately brought Jeremy and Laura together. Their pursuit of justice forged a bond that led to marriage.

Kelly Cochran’s reign of terror has come to an end, with her serving a life sentence plus 65 years for her crimes. Her story serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for evil to reside within the seemingly ordinary, and the dedication required to uncover the truth, no matter how twisted or disturbing. The investigation into Cochran’s crimes involved unusual psychological tactics, and the detectives involved would never be the same.