Offender Record · OFF-2026-038
Carroll Cole (photo from the Radford University biography)
Carroll Edward Cole
Also known as Eddie
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
5'6"
Born
1938
Custody
Deceased
States
CA, NV, MO, TX, WY, OK
Distinguishing featuresDescribed in records as physically attractive; no speech or physical defects reported.
Custody
Deceased at Nevada State Prison
Custody record at the facility
Executed by lethal injection on December 6, 1985, at Nevada State Prison in Carson City, Nevada.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
Carroll Edward Cole was a serial killer convicted of murdering five women—two in Nevada (Kathlyn Blum and Marie Cushman, 1977–1979) and three in Texas (Sally Thompson, Dorothy King, and Wanda Roberts, 1980). He confessed to murdering at least 14 women and claimed responsibility for as many as 35 killings across California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming between 1971 and 1980. Cole was arrested in Dallas, Texas on November 30, 1980, convicted in Texas on April 9, 1981, and convicted again in Nevada in 1984. He was sentenced to death in Nevada and executed by lethal injection on December 6, 1985, at Nevada State Prison in Carson City.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Jun 01, 1960, Richmond, California
Assault with a deadly weapon
Richmond Police Department, California · County Court, California · Arrested Jun 01, 1960 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 30 days county work farm
Cole approached two couples parked in cars at a lover's lane and attacked them with a hammer. The couples were injured but not fatally wounded.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cole, Carroll; Carroll Cole
Offense date Aug 1965, Dallas, Texas
Arson
Dallas Police Department, Texas · District Court, Texas · Arrested Aug 19, 1965 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 2 years imprisonment
Cole set fire to a motel where he lived, convinced his wife Billie Whitworth was having sexual relations with other occupants. Cole was indicted August 19, 1965, and convicted and sentenced in March 1966.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cole, Carroll
Offense date May 1967, Lake Ozark, Missouri
Attempted assault with intent to strangle
Lake Ozark Police Department, Missouri · felonious assault with intent to ravish · Arrested May 1967 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: 5-year prison sentence
Cole invaded the bedroom of an 11-year-old girl and attempted to strangle her as she slept. Her screams alerted neighbors and police apprehended Cole moments later. The charge was later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cole, Carroll; Carroll Edward Cole
Offense date May 14, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada
Murder of Kathlyn J. Blum
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada · District Court, Clark County, Nevada · NRS 200.033 · Arrested Nov 30, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (not applicable for this victim—Nevada lacked death penalty in May 1977)
Cole met Kathlyn Blum, age 26, a prostitute, at a bar in Las Vegas. He drove her to a remote area where he strangled her. Her body was discovered in the desert on May 14, 1977. Cole pleaded guilty to this murder on August 16, 1984, but was not sentenced to death for it since Nevada had no death penalty when the killing occurred.
SourcesCole v. State
Offense date Nov 03, 1979, Las Vegas, Nevada
Murder of Marie Cushman
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada · District Court, Clark County, Nevada · Docket 16070 · NRS 200.033 · Arrested Nov 30, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death
Cole met Marie Cushman, age 50, at the Casbah Hotel bar in Las Vegas. They went to a motel room where Cole strangled her after sexual intercourse. Her nude body was found in the room by housekeeping staff the next day. Cole pleaded guilty on August 16, 1984, and was sentenced to death on October 12, 1984.
SourcesCole v. State; Carroll Cole
Offense date Nov 09, 1980, Dallas, Texas
Murder of Dorothy King
Dallas Police Department, Texas · District Court, Dallas County, Texas · Arrested Nov 30, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment
Cole met Dorothy King, age 52, at a bar in Dallas and took her to her apartment where he strangled her. Her body was found November 11, 1980. Cole confessed on December 1, 1980. Cole was convicted April 9, 1981, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
SourcesCole v. State
Offense date Nov 12, 1980, Dallas, Texas
Murder of Wanda Faye Roberts
Dallas Police Department, Texas · District Court, Dallas County, Texas · Arrested Nov 30, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment
Cole met Wanda Faye Roberts, age 32, at a bar on Bryan Street in Dallas on November 12, 1980, around 2 a.m. He strangled her and dumped her body in a parking lot near trees. Postmortem tests showed no sexual assault. Cole was arrested at Thompson's apartment on November 30 and confessed to this murder. Convicted April 9, 1981, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
SourcesCole v. State; Carroll Edward Cole
Offense date Nov 30, 1980, Dallas, Texas
Murder of Sally Ann Thompson
Dallas Police Department, Texas · District Court, Dallas County, Texas · Arrested Nov 30, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment
Cole met Sally Thompson, age 43, at a bar in Dallas. On November 30, 1980, he was found at her apartment by her adult sons, who had come to visit her. Thompson was found dead on a couch, partially undressed. Cole was initially released when paramedics suggested death from alcohol overdose, but later confessed to strangling her. Cole was convicted April 9, 1981, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
SourcesCole v. State
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
5
Victims convicted
14
Victims confessed
35
Victims suspected
Active years
1971–1980
Victim profile
Young women, Sex workers, Strangers, Partners or spouses
Stated motive
Mission or hatred of a group
Range from home
interstate
Confessed
Yes
Cooperated with investigators
Yes
Education
some high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
0
Military discharge
dishonorable
Died
1985-12-06 · executed
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
CA
Richmond, California
approx. 1939 – 1958 · Family moved after Cole's sister was born in 1939; father worked in shipyard; father drafted to serve in World War II
Richmond, California
approx. 1956 – 1957 · Factory work
San Diego, California
Feb 1957 – Oct 1958 · United States Navy; time in military brig for drinking and theft of government property; discharged October 4, 1958, after arrests for burglary and auto theft · navy
Richmond, California
approx. 1958 – 1960 · Returned to parents' home after Navy discharge; worked odd jobs
Richmond, California
Jun 1960 – Jul 1960 · County work farm, 30-day sentence for assault with deadly weapon
Napa, California
Feb 1961 – Mar 1961 · Napa State Hospital, 90 days observation and treatment for voluntary psychiatric commitment
Atascadero, California
Oct 1961 – Sep 1962 · Atascadero State Hospital for psychiatric treatment and observation; committed by order of Judge Raymond Coughlin October 6, 1961
Stockton, California
Sep 1962 – Apr 1963 · Stockton State Hospital for further testing and treatment; released April 19, 1963, with indefinite leave
San Diego, California
approx. Oct 1970 – May 1971 · Placed on bus by Nevada hospital; drifting; worked odd jobs
San Diego, California
approx. May 1971 – Mar 1972 · Continued drifting; murdered multiple victims May–June 1971; arrested for theft and drunk driving June 1971; served time
San Ysidro, California
approx. 1972 – 1972 · Drifting; picked up two unknown women and killed them; buried in desert
San Diego, California
approx. Mar 1972 – Jul 1972 · Released from prison March 1972; met Diana Pashal (barmaid)
MO
Lake Ozark, Missouri
approx. Apr 1967 – May 1967 · Drifting; arrested May 1967 for attempted strangulation of 11-year-old girl
Lake Ozark, Missouri
May 1967 – May 1970 · Prison for attempted strangulation; pleaded guilty to reduced charge; 5-year sentence; paroled May 1, 1970
Springfield, Missouri
approx. Mar 1978 – Jun 1978 · U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners for evaluation; received 6-month sentence plus 3 years probation March 8, 1978; freed June 16, 1978
NV
Reno, Nevada
approx. May 1970 – Sep 1970 · Drifting; attempted to strangle two women in bars; both escaped; surrendered to Reno police September 19, 1970
Sparks, Nevada
Sep 1970 – Oct 1970 · State hospital at Sparks, Nevada, committed September 23, 1970; discharged and placed on bus to Los Angeles after psychiatric evaluation
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jul 1972 – Sep 1979 · Moved to Las Vegas with Diana Pashal; married Diana July 1973; worked truck driver for religious charity; committed multiple murders; strangled wife Diana in September 1979
Las Vegas, Nevada
approx. 1975 – Sep 1979 · Returned to Las Vegas; resumed employment; continued murders; meeting women in bars
Las Vegas, Nevada
approx. 1977 – Mar 1978 · Jailed for car theft July 19, 1977; made bail; arrested October 25, 1978, for being drunk and probation violation; released on $2,000 bond; arrested again November 8, 1978, on unknown charges
Las Vegas, Nevada
approx. Jun 1978 – Sep 1979 · Reunited with Diana Cole after prison release; remarried; committed additional murders; arrested at scene digging grave in crawlspace for Diana's body September 1979
Las Vegas, Nevada
approx. Dec 1979 – Apr 1980 · Jailed after honeymoon marriage due to warrant for parole violations; held at Medical Center for Federal Prisoners
Las Vegas, Nevada
approx. Feb 1984 – Aug 1984 · Extradited to Nevada February 1984; appeared before Judge Myron Leavitt August 16, 1984; pleaded guilty to 2 counts of first degree murder
Carson City, Nevada
approx. Nov 1984 – Dec 1985 · Nevada State Prison; death row; transferred November 6, 1984; executed by lethal injection December 6, 1985
OK
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
approx. Apr 1967 – May 1967 · Drifting; fined $20 for vagrancy by pimping in April 1967 before moving to Missouri
TX
Dallas, Texas
May 1963 – Nov 1963 · Stayed with brother; mother bought bus ticket for his travel to Dallas; married Billie Whitworth in November 1963
Dallas, Texas
Nov 1963 – Aug 1965 · With wife Billie Whitworth; lived in motel
Dallas, Texas
Aug 1965 – Jan 1967 · Prison for arson conviction; indicted August 19, 1965; convicted and sentenced March 1966 to 2 years; released January 5, 1967
Dallas, Texas
approx. Oct 1980 – Nov 1980 · Bused to Dallas October 4, 1980; arrived at halfway house October 8, 1980; committed multiple murders in November 1980; arrested November 30, 1980
Dallas, Texas
approx. Nov 1980 – Apr 1981 · Arrested November 30, 1980; held in custody; confessed to multiple murders; convicted April 9, 1981
Huntsville, Texas
approx. Apr 1981 – Feb 1984 · Huntsville Prison (Texas Department of Corrections); serving life sentence without parole for three Texas murders; sentenced April 9, 1981; extradited to Nevada February 1984
WY
Wyoming
approx. Aug 1974 – 1974 · Stole coin shipment from casino job and fled to Wyoming, leaving Diana in Las Vegas
Timeline
1946
Cole drowned classmate Duane Eugene Owen at age 8 in a lake in Richmond, California; death initially ruled accidental.
1957
Cole served time in military brig for drinking and theft of government property.
Feb 1957
Cole joined the U.S. Navy.
Oct 04, 1958
Cole received dishonorable discharge from Navy after San Diego arrest for burglary and auto theft.
Jun 01, 1960
Cole approached two couples in parked car at lover's lane and attacked them with a hammer.
Jun 28, 1960
Cole convicted of assault with deadly weapon and sentenced to 30 days on county work farm.
Jan 1961
Cole flagged down Richmond police car and told patrolman of urges to rape and strangle women.
Feb 02, 1961
Cole entered Napa State Hospital for 90 days observation and treatment.
Mar 21, 1961
Napa State Hospital staff diagnosed Cole with Antisocial Sociopath Personality Disturbance and recommended discharge.
Mar 25, 1961
Cole released from Napa State Hospital.
Oct 06, 1961
Judge Raymond Coughlin signed committal order for Cole to Atascadero State Hospital.
Oct 16, 1961
Cole entered Atascadero State Hospital; Dr. Irwin Hart diagnosed him as passive dependent with confusion concerning sexual identification.
Sep 12, 1962
Cole transferred to Stockton State Hospital for further testing and treatment; Dr. I.I. Weiss diagnosed schizophrenic reaction of chronic undifferentiated type.
Apr 19, 1963
Cole released from Stockton State Hospital with indefinite leave.
May 1963
Cole traveled to Dallas, Texas by bus; mother bought ticket.
Jul 15, 1963
Cole attempted suicide with pills after failed attempt to strangle a woman; spent four days in psychiatric ward.
Nov 1963
Cole married Billie Whitworth, an alcoholic stripper.
Aug 1965
Cole set a motel on fire, convinced his wife was engaged in sexual acts with other occupants.
Aug 19, 1965
Cole indicted for arson.
Mar 1966
Cole convicted of arson and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Jan 05, 1967
Cole released from prison and began drifting.
Apr 1967
Oklahoma City Court fined Cole $20 for vagrancy by pimping.
May 1967
Cole invaded bedroom of 11-year-old girl in Lake Ozark, Missouri, and attempted to strangle her in her sleep; pleaded guilty to reduced charge and received five-year prison term.
May 01, 1970
Cole paroled and drifted back to San Diego, then to Reno, Nevada.
May 1970
Cole twice attempted to strangle women in bars in Reno; both potential victims escaped.
Sep 19, 1970
Cole surrendered to Reno police and confessed urges to murder women; charged with disorderly conduct.
Sep 23, 1970
Cole committed to state hospital at Sparks, Nevada; Dr. Felix Peebles diagnosed him with antisocial personality with alcoholism and compulsion to strangle and rape attractive women.
Oct 1970
Dr. Peebles recanted diagnosis and said Cole was highly manipulative man using difficulties with law for shelter; Cole discharged and placed on bus to San Diego.
May 07, 1971
Cole met and strangled Essie Buck (39-year-old female) and left her in his trunk overnight.
May 09, 1971
Cole discarded Essie Buck's body on his 33rd birthday.
May 23, 1971
Cole met and strangled a woman only known as Wilma; buried her corpse somewhere outside San Ysidro (remains undiscovered).
May 30, 1971
Cole strangled a third unknown victim.
Jun 1971
Cole served time for theft and drunk driving.
Mar 1972
Cole released from prison.
Jul 1972
Cole met and moved in with barmaid Diana Pashal; neither were monogamous to each other.
Jul 1973
Cole married Diana Pashal.
Aug 1974
Cole moved from San Diego to Las Vegas to begin new life; stole entire coin shipment from casino job and fled to Wyoming, leaving Diana in Las Vegas.
Aug 1975
Cole met Myrlene Hamer; after night of partying she suggested sex; he strangled her and left her on hillside covered by sleeping bag.
Aug 09, 1975
Myrlene Hamer's body found; Cole fled the state the next day.
Jun 1976
Cole charged with mail theft and jumped bail; captured with charge of unlawful flight.
Feb 1977
Cole sentenced to 1 year in prison for mail theft.
May 14, 1977
Police recovered body of Kathleen Blum (26-year-old prostitute) whom Cole had strangled and dumped in stranger's backyard.
Jul 19, 1977
Cole jailed for car theft in Las Vegas; made bail and proceeded to Oklahoma City.
Nov 23, 1977
Cole met woman at topless bar the night before Thanksgiving; woke to find woman dead in his bathtub with remnants of her feet and arm in refrigerator and buttock in skillet.
Mar 08, 1978
Cole received 6-month sentence plus 3 years probation.
Jun 16, 1978
Cole freed from jail and reunited with Diana.
Oct 25, 1978
Cole arrested for being drunk and charged with probation violation; released on $2,000 bond.
Nov 08, 1978
Cole arrested on unknown charges never reported to his probation officer.
Aug 27, 1979
Cole met and strangled Bonnie Sue O'Neil (39-year-old female) after night of sex; dumped her body in garbage can behind building.
Sep 19, 1979
Cole strangled Diana Cole (35-year-old female, his wife); wrapped her in blankets and stuffed her in closet; neighbor called police 8 days later after spotting him digging grave in crawlspace; death ruled alcohol poisoning.
Nov 03, 1979
Cole killed Marie Cushman (50-year-old female) in Kasbah Hotel and left her body in room for maid to find.
Dec 16, 1979
Cole married female coworker; during honeymoon pulled over and warrant found for parole violations; sent to Medical Center for Federal Prisoners.
Apr 10, 1980
Cole released and bused to Dallas.
Nov 12, 1980
Cole strangled Wanda Faye Roberts (32-year-old female) in Dallas after picking her up at bar.
Nov 30, 1980
Cole arrested for murder of Sally Thompson at her apartment in Dallas.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
News report · Crime Library ·
Carroll Edward Cole“On May 7, 1971 he met Essie Buck in a San Diego tavern and strangled her in his car, leaving her body in the trunk overnight.”
News report · carrollcole.com ·
Carroll Cole“Carroll Cole murdered at least 14 women between 1971 and 1980, confessed in Dallas, refused every appeal, and became Nevada's first lethal injection in 1985.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Carroll Cole“Carroll Edward Cole was an American serial killer who was executed in Nevada in 1985 for killing two women by strangulation.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Cole, Carroll“Carroll Edward Cole, convicted on a plea of guilty to first degree murder, has been sentenced to die.”
Court record · Nevada Supreme Court ·
Cole v. State“Carroll Edward Cole, convicted on a plea of guilty to first degree murder, has been sentenced to die.”
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