Thank you
@Sillybilly and the Websleuths community.
This case is so interesting and not that well known. Once people find out about it, it's very hard not going down all the various rabbit holes. For all of those that know or loved the film,
A Few Good Men, it was based on a true story. Most of it was actually ripped straight from the court transcripts. The major details that were changed were; one, the Marine that received the "code red" did not die, and two, the three marines (not two) that decided to fight the charges (out of "the ten" Marines that gave the "code red"), were honorably discharged. The court at Gitmo decided that they were ordered to give the "code red" by their superiors and Marines are taught to ALWAYS follow orders.
David V. Cox was a strong, good Marine. When he got out, he wanted to be a paralegal, most likely because of his experience with the trial and forming such a tight bond with his attorney, DM. By all accounts, from all his friends we've talked to, he was a likeable guy and made friends with all and was the life of the party.
Here is what happened next:
1. January 2nd 1994 - he stayed home (Natick, MA) from work due to a bad back and was waiting for a call from UPS for a Full-time job- his girlfriend ET kept calling home to talk to him and check on him, but he wasn't answering. She did check the message machine and he got his job as the supervisor had called and told David the good news. ET came home later that pm and David's truck was in the driveway, an uncashed check, and his keys in the truck and the doors to all the rooms in the house open (which was unusual for them because they had a rabbit and closed the doors to the rooms). David was MIA.
2. April 2, 1994 - was found on the banks of the Charles River in Medfield, MA by a canoeist. He had 4 - 9mm bullet holes - 1 in the back of his head, 3 to the side. David owned a 9mm - no idea on ballistics.
3. The case seemed to go cold after 1 year - Medfield, Natick and MA State Police (David was a hometown boy from Needham, MA, which is a town nearby Natick and Medfield). The case was reopened by two state troopers/former Marines in 2019. Not sure what prompted this.
Interesting info:
1. David V. Cox was found in tennis shoes and his Marine sniper jacket when he was found. Two odd facts due to the weather and Marines don't go out in this. (*Apparently when he was shot there was an odd note in the Boston Globe about a satelite company that might have footage? if anyone wants to follow this thread - great)
2. David was known to like gambling, so some of the friends weren't too worried. He did owe a bookie $1100 at the time - but happened to have $3000 or more in his bank account, so it wouldn't have been a huge issue and seemed to have been friends w/ his bookie. (Still looking for bookie - would be good to find to corroborate).
3. David was part of a lawsuit against the filmmakers of
A Few Good Men, along with 7 of "the ten" of the "code red".
4. There are possible red herrings (?) that he saw something illegal at UPS before he died, that he reported on, that got him killed.
Conspiracy theories:
1. Was it the Marines?
2. Was it Hollywood?
3. Was it UPS? Whitey Bulger?
4. Was it the bookie? Did this have something to do with Whitey?
5. Was it just someone he knew? and Why?
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS that have plagued an almost 30 yr old cold case. Because of all the twists and turns and conspiracies, we believe this is why nothing has ever gotten closer. If anyone has any insights, help to add, we'd love it.
BTW all Police files are tied up in active investigations - so that avenue is locked down.
Thank you! AFGW
