Carole Clement

Carole Clement was a beloved 51-year-old mother and grandmother living in the seaside community of Naples, Florida. Remembered for her security-conscious nature, she resided in the Holly Greens Villa condominium complex on Gulf Shore Boulevard North, a quiet area within walking distance of the beach, populated mostly by retirees. At the time of her death, Carole, a female, was separated from her husband and navigating a difficult divorce.

On the morning of Sunday, March 8, 1992, Carole’s mother, Wellma, was returning from church around 10:48 a.m. to drop off a dress. When she arrived at her daughter’s condominium, she noticed Carole’s car was missing from its parking spot. Using her key to enter the unit, she found pamphlets wedged in the door and the living room in disarray. The scene grew more horrific as she discovered her daughter’s body on the floor, partially in the kitchen. Carole had been brutally stabbed to death.

The Naples Police Department responded to a scene that suggested a violent struggle. An overturned table in the living room and a torn pocket on Carole’s t-shirt indicated she may have fought for her life. The medical examiner later determined she had suffered between 13 and 15 stab wounds. A large butcher knife, taken from a set in her own kitchen, was left lying across her chest and neck. Two other knives from the block were found on the counter. Investigators also found a pillow at the scene, leading to the theory that it was used to muffle her screams. While a sexual assault kit was administered, there was no indication of a sexual attack. The only item missing from the home was Carole's car, which was later found abandoned at a rest area near the airport.

The investigation immediately faced several puzzling questions. The sliding glass door to Carole’s second-story balcony was found wide open, which was uncharacteristic for the security-minded woman. A ladder had been left nearby by painters who were working on the building, suggesting a possible entry point for an intruder. However, police also considered the possibility that Carole knew her killer and had let them in. Detectives thoroughly processed the scene, collecting the knives, the carpet, Carole's clothing, and her fingernail clippings. They also recovered two unknown hairs from her arms, preserving all evidence for future analysis.

During the initial investigation, police interviewed neighbors and learned of a suspicious individual seen in the complex the night Carole was killed. Two different couples reported seeing a tall man with dark hair lurking in the condominium’s alley-like parking area. One couple was returning from dinner around 7:30 p.m. when they saw the man walking in front of their car. They noted he seemed out of place and never looked back before turning and running off. Suspicion also fell on Carole's soon-to-be ex-husband due to their acrimonious divorce, but his alibi appeared to hold up under scrutiny.

For decades, Carole Clement’s murder remained cold. However, the case has seen renewed attention. The State Attorney's Office for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit now includes her case in its Cold Case Homicide Unit. Advances in forensic science have allowed for new testing of the evidence collected in 1992. DNA profiles were developed from Carole’s fingernail clippings, and as of December 2023, plans were in place to retest the murder weapon. This renewed effort has given Carole’s sister, Linda Anstine, a new sense of hope for justice. She has stated, "We're never gonna give up. We're always going to have our ear to the ground. We're gonna keep asking the question over and over until we get an answer or until we die."

As of December 2025, the case remains open and unsolved, with no arrests made. Investigators continue to seek the public’s help for any information that might finally close this case. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. Information can also be given directly to the Naples Police Department by calling 239-213-3000 or contacting Lieutenant Robert Young at 239-213-4823.