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Left inset: Jonah Michael Poole. Right inset: Kylee Alyssa Dakes. Middle inset: Edward Koza (Anne Arundel Police Department). Background: Tropic Bay Water Gardens parking lot in Maryland where Poole and Dakes lit Koza”s car on fire with him still inside, cops say (WBAL).
A tragic case in Maryland has reached a pivotal moment as a teenager has admitted to the horrific crime of murdering his former employer by setting him ablaze inside a vehicle. Jonah Michael Poole, aged 19, confessed his guilt on Wednesday, following charges of first-degree murder for the death of 67-year-old Edward Koza.
The grim events unfolded when Poole, alongside his girlfriend Kylee Alyssa Dakes, also 19, allegedly ambushed Koza at his place of business. The pair reportedly restrained him, taping his mouth shut, before trapping him in a car they set aflame with Koza still inside.
Originally slated for a trial in June, Poole’s admission of guilt marks a significant development in the case. Meanwhile, Dakes remains implicated in the crime, with the legal proceedings yet to conclude for her.
As initially reported by Law&Crime, the distressing incident came to light on the night of May 24, 2025. Police responded to reports of a vehicle fire at Tropic Bay Water Gardens in Davidsonville, Maryland. Upon extinguishing the flames, they discovered Koza’s body inside, bound and lifeless. Nearby, a melted gasoline container and a Bass Pro Shops hat were discovered, suggesting the fire was deliberately set.
Further investigation revealed that Poole and Dakes had visited Koza’s store earlier that evening, at around 5:30 p.m., where they purportedly attacked and abducted him. Surveillance footage from a gas station captured Koza’s car, driven by a male later identified as Poole, who was wearing a Bass Pro Shops hat and a flannel shirt. The video also showed a female, presumed to be Dakes, exiting the passenger side to purchase gasoline with two $5 bills.
Police concluded that Poole and Dakes returned to Koza’s business, Tropic Bay Water Gardens, where they carried out the heinous act of setting the car on fire with Koza inside, sealing his tragic fate. The case continues to draw attention as the community grapples with the shocking violence.
Further investigation revealed that Poole worked at Koza’s store for a couple of weekends the year before. Police believed the motivation behind the attack was robbery.
Poole entered his guilty plea on Wednesday and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26. Dakes pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28. She remains in custody at the Anne Arundel County Jail.
