Draft:Natalie Cochran
| Submission declined on 7 June 2025 by Greenman (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
| Submission declined on 9 April 2025 by Bluethricecreamman (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are:
This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. Declined by Bluethricecreamman 59 days ago. | |
| Submission declined on 5 March 2025 by KylieTastic (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. Declined by KylieTastic 3 months ago. | |
Comment: See WP:BLP. Statements, starting with the date of birth, need to be sourced or removed. Greenman (talk) 20:24, 7 June 2025 (UTC)
Natalie Paige Cochran | |
|---|---|
| Born | Natalie Paige Cochran November 9, 1980 |
| Occupation | Former pharmacist |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Spouse | Michael Brandon Cochran (deceased) |
| Motive | Financial gain, concealment of fraudulent activities |
| Convictions | Wire fraud, Money laundering, First-degree murder |
| Criminal charge | 2020 (fraud), 2025 (murder) |
| Penalty | 135 months (fraud), Life in prison without parole (murder) |
| Imprisoned at | FCI Hazelton |
Natalie Paige Cochran is a former pharmacist from Raleigh County, West Virginia, whose legal controversies have drawn significant public attention. She is known for her convictions related to fraud and the murder of her husband, Michael Brandon Cochran.
Early life and career
[edit]Natalie Paige Cochran was born in 1980 in Raleigh County, West Virginia. She pursued a career in pharmacy and was married to Michael Brandon Cochran in the early 2000s. The couple had two children and ran a contracting business during the 2010s, which later became central to her legal troubles.[1]
Criminal case history
[edit]Fraud convictions
[edit]From 2017 to 2019, Cochran operated a $2.5 million Ponzi scheme, defrauding investors under the guise of a government contracting business. She persuaded at least 11 individuals to invest in her companies, Technology Management Solutions (TMS) and Tactical Solutions Group (TSG), by falsely claiming she had lucrative government contracts.[1][2] Instead of investing the funds, Cochran used the money for personal expenses, including purchasing real estate, jewelry, and a 1965 Shelby Cobra.[1] She also used funds from new investors to pay partial returns to earlier investors, a hallmark of Ponzi schemes.[1] One investor alone lost over $500,000 due to her fraudulent activities.[1] Cochran pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering on September 21, 2020, and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. She was also ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution and forfeit assets obtained through her scheme.[1] [3]
Murder conviction
[edit]In January 2025, Cochran was convicted of first-degree murder for poisoning her husband, Michael Brandon Cochran, with insulin. Prosecutors argued that Michael had grown suspicious of their business dealings and planned to investigate further.[4][5] On February 5, 2019, Cochran canceled Michael’s flight to Virginia, where he intended to investigate their business dealings, and injected him with insulin. Despite his deteriorating condition, Cochran refused to take him to the hospital, telling friends he would “sleep it off.” Michael passed away on February 11, 2019.[4][5][6] During the trial, forensic experts confirmed that Michael’s death was caused by nonprescribed insulin. Prosecutors argued that Cochran killed her husband to prevent him from uncovering her fraudulent activities.[4] The jury deliberated for less than two hours before delivering a guilty verdict. Cochran was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, with the jury recommending no mercy.[4] [7]
Legislative impact
[edit]In February 2025, West Virginia lawmakers introduced House Bill 2789, also known as The Michael Brandon Cochran Act. The bill mandates intensive care units to conduct C-peptide insulin tests for unconscious patients or those presenting with hypoglycemia and blood glucose levels below 49 mg/dl. The legislation aims to prevent similar cases of insulin misuse.[8]
Media attention
[edit]Cochran’s story has been covered extensively in media outlets, including a feature on 20/20: Small Town Big Con, which explored her crimes and their impact on the community.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Raleigh County Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering". United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia - via United States Department of Justice (www.justice.gov). September 21, 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ Stowers, Shannon (18 March 2021). "Raleigh County pharmacist sentenced in $2.5 million fraud scheme". WCHSTV. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Shrestha, Naman (14 February 2025). "Natalie Cochran: Where is the Scammer and Killer Now?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d Castillo, Robert (30 January 2025). "Natalie Cochran sentenced to life in prison without parole". WVVA. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Jeff (22 January 2025). "Cochran trial: Doctor says insulin killed Michael Cochran, state rests". WV Metro News. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ Baker, KC (29 January 2025). "Pharmacist Killed Husband with Insulin Injection So He Wouldn't Learn About $2M Ponzi Scheme". People. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Louallen, Doc (14 February 2025). "How far would a wife go to keep $2M Ponzi scheme a secret?". ABC News. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ The Michael Brandon Cochran Act. WV Legislature (2025).
- ^ Silver, Lauren; Wong, Grace. "WV v. Natalie Cochran: Ponzi Scheme Murder Trial". Court TV. Retrieved 14 March 2025.