Kelly Cochran, 34, formerly of Caspian, is on trial in Iron County for reportedly helping her now-deceased husband, Jason Cochran, kill the 53-year-old Iron River man Oct. 14, 2014, and hide his remains.

It wasn’t until mid-May 2016 that investigators found Regan’s skull and eyeglasses off of Pentoga Trail in Crystal Falls Township with Cochran’s assistance, lead case investigator Laura Frizzo testified.

Defense attorney Michael Scholke pointed out the jury could simply view photos of the skull, and said there was nothing to be gained from bringing it out in court. Iron County Prosecutor Melissa Powell argued it was highly relevant and the only piece of evidence showing a person died.

Cochran changed her story over time on her level of participation in the murder, from denying responsibility to being a willing accomplice, Frizzo continued in her testimony.

MURDER DEFENDANT KELLY Cochran, left, and defense attorney Michael Scholke listen to testimony Friday in Iron County Court.

Frizzo said Cochran told her in a series of April 2016 phone calls she used her husband’s phone to text and call Regan on Oct. 14, 2014 to invite him to her home for dinner.

The two had been carrying on an extramarital affair, and Cochran claimed she didn’t know her husband was home that day.

Regan was last seen alive about 4 p.m. Oct. 14, 2014, on surveillance footage at the BP gas station in Iron River.

Cochran and Regan engaged in sex acts as soon as he entered her Caspian residence, Frizzo said, and when they were done, Regan turned to enter the main part of the house.

According to Kelly Cochran’s story, that’s when Jason Cochran came out of the basement and shot Regan in the back of the head with a .22 rifle.

In Cochran’s telling, her husband dragged the body into the basement and directed her to get a reciprocating saw cord so he could use the tool to dismember the body, Frizzo told jurors.

She claimed he was angry with her and made her try to pull the bullet from Regan’s skull with forceps, and also made her cook him some food.

Although Jason Cochran considered placing Regan’s head and hands in acid, according to Kelly Cochran’s account, he ultimately placed the body parts in about 15 plastic bags they dumped off of Pentoga Trail.

Jason Cochran first wanted to dispose of Regan’s vehicle in the Caspian pit but settled on the Bates Township park and ride lot, Frizzo said.

Frizzo said she questioned Cochran in April 2016 why she never told law enforcement this story during her numerous interviews after Regan was reported missing Oct. 27, 2014. Cochran claimed her husband would have killed her if she talked.

Jason Cochran died Feb. 20, 2016 in Indiana, reportedly killed by his wife as revenge for Regan’s death, according to court documents.

Something happened when Cochran was incarcerated in Kentucky in late April 2016 to change her account of Regan’s death, Frizzo said.

Cochran then claimed she participated in luring Regan to her home to kill him, and that she and her husband were supposed to kill her other lover as well.

Frizzo said Cochran told her in a May 2016 interview she has been “homicidal her whole life,” “believes in evil,” and “has no remorse.” She also alleged Jason Cochran killed multiple people over an 11-year period.

Going on Cochran’s information, investigators found parts of the murder weapon in the Cochran home and the Caspian pit, and the forceps Cochran used to retrieve the bullet in the Cochran home.

The also discovered a reciprocating saw blade and portions of blue jeans in fire pit ash in the Cochrans’ backyard.

Cochran faces charges of homicide-open murder, a life felony; conspiracy to commit dead bodies-disinterment and mutilation, a 10-year felony; concealing the death of an individual, a five-year felony; accessory after the fact to a felony, a five-year felony; larceny in a building, a four-year felony; and lying to a peace officer-violent crime investigation, a four-year felony.

The trial enters its second week Monday, when Frizzo is expected to continue her testimony.

Nikki Younk can be reached at nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com or 906-774-2772, ext. 41.