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⚠️ Warning: Viewer Discretion Advised ⚠️ The following section contains detailed information about serial killers, their crimes, and case details. Some content may be disturbing or graphic, including descriptions of violence, criminal behavior, and sensitive subject matter.
Description
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Carroll Edward Cole: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Introduction

Carroll Edward Cole, born on May 9, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, was an American serial killer executed on December 6, 1985. He confessed to killing at least 13 people, though the actual number of victims may be higher. His crimes spanned several decades and states, leaving a trail of tragedy and horror.

Early Life and First Murder

Cole's troubled childhood included emotional abuse and a dysfunctional family environment. At the age of 8, he committed his first murder by drowning a classmate named Duane in Richmond, California. This act was initially ruled an accident but later confessed by Cole as intentional.

Criminal Activities

After a series of petty crimes and mental health issues, Cole began targeting women, often strangling them. His victims were typically women he met in bars or other social settings. Below is a list of known victims:
  • Wanda Faye Roberts - Found on November 12, 1980, in Dallas, Texas. She was strangled and left partially clothed.
  • Sally Thompson - Discovered on November 30, 1980, in her Dallas apartment. Cole was found at the scene but initially released due to inconclusive evidence.
  • Unnamed Victims - Cole claimed responsibility for multiple other murders, including women in California, Nevada, and Texas, between 1947 and 1980.
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Victims
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Confirmed Victims: (3)
  • Wanda Faye Roberts , Date of Death: 1980-11-12
  •     ...View 2 additional victims
    Links to Additional Sources (9)
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    Killer's Details

    Carroll Edward

    Cole

    May 9, 1938 Sioux City, Iowa, United States

    December 6, 1985 (aged 47) Carson City, Nevada, United States

    Executed by lethal injection

    Male

    White

    Murder (First degree)

    Death

    16

    1947 - 1980

    California, Nevada, Texas

    1980

    Nevada State Prison

    07/03/2025