Carolyn Jan Bennett, a 17-year-old white female from Mims, Florida, was tragically murdered in November 1973. Born on November 2, 1956, in Rockledge, Florida, she was the daughter of William Benjamin Bennett Jr. and Jean Marie Jones. Her remains were discovered on December 25, 1973, in Brevard County, Florida.
Carolyn Jan Bennett was one of five known victims of Bernard Eugene Giles, a 20-year-old white male serial killer and rapist active in Titusville, Florida, during the
fall of 1973. Giles targeted young females, often hitchhikers, whom he lured into his vehicle, transported to secluded areas, and then sexually assaulted and murdered. His victims ranged in age from 14 to 22 and were killed by gunshot or strangulation.
Giles's killing spree ended in December 1973 when two underage girls managed to escape his attempted abduction. They provided authorities with a detailed description of Giles and his vehicle, leading to his arrest on December 11, 1973. Subsequent investigations linked him to the murders of Carolyn Jan Bennett and four other young females. Giles confessed to these crimes and was convicted on multiple counts of first-degree murder, receiving several life sentences.
In 1979, Giles briefly escaped from prison but was recaptured within 26 hours. He remains incarcerated in Florida, serving his life sentences.
