Autumn 'Blue' Cole, a 43-year-old resident of Carbondale, Illinois, tragically lost her life to gun violence on May 26, 2024. The incident occurred over Memorial Day weekend on Oak Valley Drive in Carbondale.
The perpetrator of the fatal shooting was identified as 32-year-old Timothy Gassel of Murphysboro, Illinois.
Autumn Cole was a vibrant and fearless individual known for her adventurous spirit and her unwavering commitment to standing up for what she believed in. She was a champion of the underdog and befriended those who were often overlooked. Her life was marked by both adversity and triumph, and she was deeply connected to nature, often finding solace in talking to trees and spending time outdoors.
Autumn left behind two children: Michael, 19, and Ellie, 10, who has special needs and a complex medical history. Ellie's future is particularly uncertain without her mother's care, and a GoFundMe page was set up to help cover Autumn's end-of-life services, legal expenses, and to establish a trust fund for Ellie's future.
The community has come together to support Autumn's family, with the fundraiser aiming to raise $10,000 to help with the various expenses and to ensure Ellie's well-being. As of the initial reports, almost $6,000 had been raised.
A memorial service for Autumn Cole is scheduled to be held at the Church of Good Shepherd in Carbondale, Illinois, on June 22, 2024, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the GoFundMe page are encouraged to support her family, especially her daughter Ellie.
