May 29, 2011 | Porn Stars

Book explores details of Kocis murder

A book exploring the grisly murder of Bryan Kocis,  Cobra Killer: Gay Porn Murder, is scheduled for release in February 2012.

Kocis, the owner of Cobra Video, was found dead on January 24, 2007. A fire had been set to hide his body, which had been stabbed 28 times; his throat was also cut, nearly decapitating him. 

Five months later, porn producer Joseph Kerekes and his porn model boyfriend Harlow Cuadra were arrested and charged with Kocis' murder. The two posed as a young actor looking to get into the industry and set up a meeting with Kocis.

Police discovered several pieces of evidence leading to Cuadra and Kerekes, including audio recordings of Cuadra saying, "Actually seeing that fucker going down, it's actually sick, but it made me feel better inside. It almost felt like I got revenge and I know that sounds fucked up." 

The two men were convicted of the crime. Both received life sentences, without the possibility of parole.

The book will explore the case from beginning to end, suggesting that the motive for the murder was "an ill-conceived attempt to lure a rising gay porn star named Brent Corrigan away from the grips of Kocis and into their crumbling, self-built porn empire."

Peter A. Conway followed the case on his blog Harlow & Joe on Trial. He worked with former newspaper reporter Andrew E. Stoner to complete the book.