206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
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Description
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Phillip Coleman: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Life

Phillip J. Coleman Jr. was born in 1919 in East St. Louis, Illinois. Little is known about his early years, Little is known about his personal life, but he reportedly had many half-siblings scattered across Illinois and Arkansas and records indicate a troubled upbringing that may have influenced his later actions.

Confirmed Crimes

Phillip Coleman's criminal activities spanned various states, with several confirmed murders attributed to him. Below is a chronological list of his known victims:
  • July 3, 1943 – Helena, Montana: Andrew J. Walton, 81, was hacked to death with a hatchet. Coleman claimed he intended to rob Walton but ultimately stole only 12 cents.
  • July 24, 1943 – Lothrop, Montana: Carl W. Pearson, 48, a section foreman for the Northern Pacific Railway, was bludgeoned to death with an axe.
  • July 24, 1943 – Lothrop, Montana: Roslyn Pearson, 30, wife of Carl Pearson, was stabbed to death in her home.

Additional Confessions

Prior to his execution, Coleman confessed to several other murders across the United States and Canada. While not all could be verified, he provided details for the following cases:
  • 1933 – East St. Louis, Illinois: 'Devil' Moore was bludgeoned with a hammer.
  • 1939 – Stockton, California: A Mexican individual named 'Ventez' was choked to death and buried under a house.
  • Unknown Date – Canada: An unidentified black male was killed by Coleman while he was with a circus.
  • May 1943 – Seattle, Washington: A white girl named "Tullie" was killed by unknown means; her body was weighed and dropped into the Puget Sound.
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Victims
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Confirmed Victims: (7)
  • Andrew J. Walton Age: (81), Date of Death: 1943-07-03
  •     ...View 6 additional victims
    Killer's Details

    Phillip

    Coleman

    1919 East St. Louis, Illinois, United States

    September 10, 1943 (aged 23-24) Missoula County Jail, Missoula, Montana, United States

    Executed by hanging

    Edward J. Coleman Jr.

    Male

    Black

    First degree murder (x2)

    Death

    3-23

    July 3 - 24, 1943

    Montana, Possibly others

    July 28, 1943

    Missoula County Jail — Missoula, Montana

    07/03/2025