In the 1970s, women across Texas, California, and Nevada disappeared after nights that began in bars and ended in silence.

At the center of it all was Carroll Edward Cole — a quiet, soft-spoken drifter who blended in easily. Born in 1938 in Sioux City, Iowa, Cole later described a childhood marked by instability, alleged abuse, and deep resentment toward his mother. Whether every claim was true or distorted through memory, what is certain is that his rage followed him into adulthood.

After serving in the U.S. Army and drifting between states, Cole began killing in the early 1970s. His victims were adult women, many of whom he met socially before strangling them. Authorities ultimately confirmed at least 16 murders, though Cole claimed more.

Sexual violence was confirmed in multiple cases.

Unlike many serial offenders, Cole did not deny his actions. When arrested in Las Vegas in 1980, he confessed. He waived appeals. He told authorities he would kill again if released. He asked for the death penalty.

On December 6, 1985, Carroll Edward Cole was executed in Nevada’s gas chamber.

This episode traces his life chronologically — from childhood instability to multi-state murders, to arrest, confession, trial, and execution — examining the psychology of a man who believed death was the only way to stop himself.

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Cited Sources

1. Newton, Michael. The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. Checkmark Books, 2006.

2. Ramsland, Katherine. The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation. Berkley Books, 2005.

3. “Carroll Edward Cole.” Murderpedia. Accessed 2026.

4. State of Nevada v. Carroll Edward Cole, Nevada Supreme Court records.

5. Nevada Department of Corrections – Execution Records (December 6, 1985).

6. Associated Press archives, 1980–1985 coverage of Cole’s arrest, confession, and execution.