UPDATE: Man accused of killing Larissa Cole pleads not guilty

Update, Nov. 6

The man accused of strangling a 20-year-old Redding woman and leaving her body behind a Redding skate rink appeared in court Wednesday to enter a not guilty plea.

The man, 21-year-old Jerome Dzwonek, was arrested Oct. 29 on suspicion of killing Larissa Cole. When questioned after his arrest, Dzwonek told police he had strangled Cole with her cellphone charging cord, according to the Redding Police Department.

His court appearance was only about 10 minutes long with Dzwonek quietly answering questions from the judge with a "Yes, your honor."

Dzwonek is being represented by Shasta County public defender Kathryn Barton. The lead prosecutor on the case is Sarah Murphy. The judge is Adam B. Ryan.

Dzwonek remains in Shasta County Jail custody with bail set at $1,000,000.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.

Update, Oct. 31:

The man accused of killing Larissa Cole and leaving her body behind a Redding skate rink made his first court appearance Thursday since his arrest two days prior.

The Shasta County District Attorney's Office charged Jerome Dzwonek, 21, with one count of murder. At his court appearance, Dzwonek was appointed a public defender. He did not enter either a guilty or not guilty plea and is expected to do so at his next appearance on Wednesday.

At the arraignment, the prosecution said it had provided the defense with a list of witnesses. The judge at the hearing was Adam B. Ryan.

Dzwonek will remain in custody at the Shasta County Jail with bail set at $1,000,000 for the alleged killing.

More: RPD: Man accused of killing 20-year-old left her cellphone in his trash

Original story

A Redding man has admitted to strangling and discarding the body of a 20-year-old woman found behind Viking Skate Fun Center Sunday, police said.

The man, 21-year-old Jerome Denell Dzwonek, was arrested Tuesday and taken to jail on suspicion of the murder of Larissa Cole. His bail was set at $1,000,000, according to a press release from the Redding Police Department.

Police have not determined a motive for the alleged killing, according to Sgt. Levi Solada. Solada said the suspect and victim were acquaintances, but he did not know further details of their relationship.

"We don't have a good feel for what the motive is, at this point," Solada said.

Police found Cole's body behind the skate rink on Sunday at about 1:30 p.m. After collecting evidence and conducting interviews, investigators determined Dzwonek to be a suspect on Tuesday morning, they said.

Investigators said they found evidence linking Dzwonek to the murder after searching his vehicle and home on the 2500 block of Butte Street in Redding. When they interviewed Dzwonek, he "provided details of the murder" and said he strangled Cole during an altercation, according to the press release.

Specifically, Solada said investigators used physical evidence found in Dzwonek's vehicle, in his home and cell phone evidence to pinpoint him as a suspect. Traces of blood found in his car have been sent to the Department of Justice for analysis, Solada said.

Dzwonek also admitted to discarding Cole's body near the back of the skate rink off Auditorium Drive, according to the press release.

While Dzwonek has been arrested, Solada said police are still conducting interviews and following up with witnesses.

Police say there are no outstanding suspects. Still, they are urging those with additional information to contact the police department at 530-225-4200.

More: Shasta County officials identify 20-year-old woman found dead on Auditorium Drive

A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of Cole's family to pay for funeral costs.

Matt Brannon covers politics, the criminal justice system and breaking news for the Record Searchlight. Follow him on Twitter @MattBrannon_RS. Support local coverage and keep up with the North State for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.