An Arkansas man who tried to blame faulty wiring for the fire that killed his wife will spend the next 75 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and arson.
Bruce Lee Cockrell, 48, received his sentence Thursday for killing his wife, Tonya Marie Liggin-Cockrell, 35, who died from injuries sustained during a July 8, 2024 assault and fire. Investigators found that Cockrell drenched his wife in “weed eater gas” during an argument and set her on fire.
When first responders reached the couple’s home, Liggin-Cockrell was still alive despite suffering burns over nearly her entire body. Cockrell told deputies the fire started because of “possibly illegal” electrical work and even helped paramedics place his wife onto a backboard. However, a deputy quickly noticed Cockrell had no burns or injuries—unusual for someone claiming to have been in bed when the fire erupted. Officers also located a jug of weed-eater fuel in the kitchen.
The truth emerged once Liggin-Cockrell arrived at the hospital. A nurse contacted law enforcement and reported that the victim repeatedly said, “He set me on fire, he set me on fire.” She explained that Cockrell had beaten her before pouring gasoline on her and igniting her.
Cockrell initially denied attacking his wife. Later, while in custody, he admitted that after an argument he poured gasoline on her but claimed she accidentally ignited herself while lighting a cigarette before running outside. Liggin-Cockrell died from her injuries the next day.
Cockrell ultimately pleaded guilty to murder and arson. A judge sentenced him to 45 years for murder and 30 years for arson, ordering the sentences to run consecutively for a total of 75 years.
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