Murder Of Carol Cole
Unsolved Teenage Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana
TIME PERIOD
December 1980
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
In December 1980, 17-year-old Carol Ann Cole went missing from San Antonio, Texas, after attending a party in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her body was discovered on January 28, 1981, in Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, but remained unidentified until 2015 when DNA testing confirmed her identity. Cole, originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was known to have lived in a girls' home in Austin, Texas, prior to her disappearance. The investigation into her homicide, ruled as a stabbing, remains unsolved, with ongoing efforts to uncover leads and identify potential suspects. Significant evidence includes the victim's clothing and personal items, which may provide clues to her last known whereabouts and connections.
Theories surrounding the murder of Carol Cole include the possibility that she was a victim of a serial killer operating in the area during that time, as her body was discovered in a location linked to other unsolved cases. There is speculation that her disappearance may have been connected to her time in a drug rehabilitation program, suggesting she could have fallen into a dangerous environment. Additionally, some believe that the involvement of individuals from her past, including acquaintances from Texas, could provide leads in the ongoing investigation.
The Unsolved Murder of Carol Ann Cole
In a world of shadows and secrets, one mystery endured for over three decades—the tragic story of a young girl known only as "Bossier Doe." It wasn't until 2015 that the world finally learned her true identity: Carol Ann Cole, a 17-year-old whose life was cut short in the most brutal manner. The saga of Carol Cole is one that weaves through the landscapes of Michigan, Texas, and Louisiana, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a cold case that refuses to fade from memory.
Early Life and Disappearance
Born on November 5, 1963, Carol Ann Cole's early life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was marked by familial upheaval. After the divorce of her parents, she and her sister, Linda "Jeanie" Phelps, found themselves primarily under the care of their grandmother. In 1979, at the tender age of 15, Carol decided to leave Kalamazoo to join her mother, Sue, in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the distance, she maintained contact with her sister through phone calls. By May 1980, Carol found herself at a girls' home operated by the Palmer Drug Abuse Program on West 23rd Street in Austin, Texas.
However, as the year drew to a close, the communication from Carol ceased. Her grandmother in Kalamazoo traced her last known location to a residence in Shreveport, Louisiana. When contacted, the residents informed her that Carol had left for a party and never returned. Despite relentless efforts by her sister and her friend, Patty Thorington, Carol remained elusive—a ghost in their lives.
The Discovery
The chilling discovery came on January 28, 1981, in the quiet woods of Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. A young woman's body, estimated to be between 15 and 21 years old, lay concealed by the trees. Her attire told a story of its own—jeans, a white, long-sleeved shirt with colorful stripes, a beige sweater, and shoes bearing names like "Michael Brisco" and "David." These names, etched on the shoes, led investigators down a maze of dead ends.
Nearby, a knife was unearthed from the soil—a silent witness to the crime, believed to be the weapon used to inflict nine stab wounds on the victim. Tragically, much of the evidence gathered at the scene was later destroyed in a 2005 fire. Yet, the grim discovery marked the beginning of an investigation that would span decades.
The Investigation
As investigators delved into the mystery, they found themselves facing a puzzle with missing pieces. The victim's remains, unrecognizable due to decomposition, suggested she was white, possibly with Native American ancestry. She stood around 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blonde, shoulder-length hair. The absence of identification and witnesses added layers of complexity to the case.
A notorious figure, Henry Lee Lucas, would muddy the waters with a false confession, later debunked by his confirmed presence in Florida at the time of the murder. Despite these hurdles, investigators persisted. The Louisiana State University FACES Lab reconstructed the victim's likeness, first with clay, then digitally. It wasn't until DNA technology advanced that a breakthrough occurred—DNA was extracted from her teeth, setting the stage for future identification.
Identification and Breakthrough
The relentless search for Carol by her sister Jeanie resulted in a missing person's report, entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). Meanwhile, a new digital frontier emerged as the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Department launched a Facebook page in February 2015, seeking to identify "Bossier Doe." Within days, the page attracted a tidal wave of attention.
Then came a pivotal moment: a 911 operator named Linda Erickson spotted the Facebook page and connected it to a Craigslist ad featuring Carol Ann’s photo, placed by Patty Thorington. This serendipitous link led law enforcement to the Cole family. DNA tests confirmed what many had long hoped—Bossier Doe was indeed Carol Ann Cole.
A GoFundMe campaign soon followed, raising funds for Carol's reburial and a new headstone. On June 18, 2015, she was finally laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock Township, Michigan, bringing some measure of closure to her family.
The Unresolved Case
Despite the progress, the search for Carol's killer continues. Frances Aucoin pointed a finger at her father, John Chesson, who discovered Carol's remains alongside his son. Chesson, already serving a life sentence for the 1997 murder of his estranged wife's mother, is a person of interest. Aucoin harbors suspicions about her father's involvement, citing his abusive nature and the possibility that Carol was a hitchhiker he picked up. Yet, Chesson remains just one piece of the puzzle.
Carol Ann Cole's story is a haunting reminder of the unresolved mysteries that lurk in the dark corners of our world. Her tragic end, and the enduring search for justice, continue to captivate and confound, leaving us with one pressing question—who killed Carol Ann Cole?
Sources
For further reading and details, visit the original article on Wikipedia.
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Carol Cole Goes Missing
17-year-old Carol Ann Cole disappears from San Antonio, Texas, after attending a party.
Body Discovered
The body of a young woman, later identified as Carol Cole, is found concealed by trees in Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
Social Media Outreach
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office creates a Facebook page to identify the victim known as 'Bossier Doe'.
Identification Leads
A Craigslist ad leads detectives to connect Carol Cole's identity with the 'Bossier Doe' case.
DNA Confirmation
DNA tests confirm that the victim 'Bossier Doe' is Carol Ann Cole, missing since 1980.
Carol Cole Laid to Rest
Carol Ann Cole is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery after a funeral service, 34 years after her death.
Investigation Renewed
With Cole's identification, investigators focus on finding her killer, considering John Chesson a person of interest.
In December 1980, 17-year-old Carol Ann Cole went missing from San Antonio, Texas, after attending a party in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her body was discovered on January 28, 1981, in Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, but remained unidentified until 2015 when DNA testing confirmed her identity. Cole, originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was known to have lived in a girls' home in Austin, Texas, prior to her disappearance. The investigation into her homicide, ruled as a stabbing, remains unsolved, with ongoing efforts to uncover leads and identify potential suspects. Significant evidence includes the victim's clothing and personal items, which may provide clues to her last known whereabouts and connections.
Theories surrounding the murder of Carol Cole include the possibility that she was a victim of a serial killer operating in the area during that time, as her body was discovered in a location linked to other unsolved cases. There is speculation that her disappearance may have been connected to her time in a drug rehabilitation program, suggesting she could have fallen into a dangerous environment. Additionally, some believe that the involvement of individuals from her past, including acquaintances from Texas, could provide leads in the ongoing investigation.
The Unsolved Murder of Carol Ann Cole
In a world of shadows and secrets, one mystery endured for over three decades—the tragic story of a young girl known only as "Bossier Doe." It wasn't until 2015 that the world finally learned her true identity: Carol Ann Cole, a 17-year-old whose life was cut short in the most brutal manner. The saga of Carol Cole is one that weaves through the landscapes of Michigan, Texas, and Louisiana, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a cold case that refuses to fade from memory.
Early Life and Disappearance
Born on November 5, 1963, Carol Ann Cole's early life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was marked by familial upheaval. After the divorce of her parents, she and her sister, Linda "Jeanie" Phelps, found themselves primarily under the care of their grandmother. In 1979, at the tender age of 15, Carol decided to leave Kalamazoo to join her mother, Sue, in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the distance, she maintained contact with her sister through phone calls. By May 1980, Carol found herself at a girls' home operated by the Palmer Drug Abuse Program on West 23rd Street in Austin, Texas.
However, as the year drew to a close, the communication from Carol ceased. Her grandmother in Kalamazoo traced her last known location to a residence in Shreveport, Louisiana. When contacted, the residents informed her that Carol had left for a party and never returned. Despite relentless efforts by her sister and her friend, Patty Thorington, Carol remained elusive—a ghost in their lives.
The Discovery
The chilling discovery came on January 28, 1981, in the quiet woods of Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. A young woman's body, estimated to be between 15 and 21 years old, lay concealed by the trees. Her attire told a story of its own—jeans, a white, long-sleeved shirt with colorful stripes, a beige sweater, and shoes bearing names like "Michael Brisco" and "David." These names, etched on the shoes, led investigators down a maze of dead ends.
Nearby, a knife was unearthed from the soil—a silent witness to the crime, believed to be the weapon used to inflict nine stab wounds on the victim. Tragically, much of the evidence gathered at the scene was later destroyed in a 2005 fire. Yet, the grim discovery marked the beginning of an investigation that would span decades.
The Investigation
As investigators delved into the mystery, they found themselves facing a puzzle with missing pieces. The victim's remains, unrecognizable due to decomposition, suggested she was white, possibly with Native American ancestry. She stood around 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blonde, shoulder-length hair. The absence of identification and witnesses added layers of complexity to the case.
A notorious figure, Henry Lee Lucas, would muddy the waters with a false confession, later debunked by his confirmed presence in Florida at the time of the murder. Despite these hurdles, investigators persisted. The Louisiana State University FACES Lab reconstructed the victim's likeness, first with clay, then digitally. It wasn't until DNA technology advanced that a breakthrough occurred—DNA was extracted from her teeth, setting the stage for future identification.
Identification and Breakthrough
The relentless search for Carol by her sister Jeanie resulted in a missing person's report, entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). Meanwhile, a new digital frontier emerged as the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Department launched a Facebook page in February 2015, seeking to identify "Bossier Doe." Within days, the page attracted a tidal wave of attention.
Then came a pivotal moment: a 911 operator named Linda Erickson spotted the Facebook page and connected it to a Craigslist ad featuring Carol Ann’s photo, placed by Patty Thorington. This serendipitous link led law enforcement to the Cole family. DNA tests confirmed what many had long hoped—Bossier Doe was indeed Carol Ann Cole.
A GoFundMe campaign soon followed, raising funds for Carol's reburial and a new headstone. On June 18, 2015, she was finally laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock Township, Michigan, bringing some measure of closure to her family.
The Unresolved Case
Despite the progress, the search for Carol's killer continues. Frances Aucoin pointed a finger at her father, John Chesson, who discovered Carol's remains alongside his son. Chesson, already serving a life sentence for the 1997 murder of his estranged wife's mother, is a person of interest. Aucoin harbors suspicions about her father's involvement, citing his abusive nature and the possibility that Carol was a hitchhiker he picked up. Yet, Chesson remains just one piece of the puzzle.
Carol Ann Cole's story is a haunting reminder of the unresolved mysteries that lurk in the dark corners of our world. Her tragic end, and the enduring search for justice, continue to captivate and confound, leaving us with one pressing question—who killed Carol Ann Cole?
Sources
For further reading and details, visit the original article on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Carol Cole Goes Missing
17-year-old Carol Ann Cole disappears from San Antonio, Texas, after attending a party.
Body Discovered
The body of a young woman, later identified as Carol Cole, is found concealed by trees in Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
Social Media Outreach
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office creates a Facebook page to identify the victim known as 'Bossier Doe'.
Identification Leads
A Craigslist ad leads detectives to connect Carol Cole's identity with the 'Bossier Doe' case.
DNA Confirmation
DNA tests confirm that the victim 'Bossier Doe' is Carol Ann Cole, missing since 1980.
Carol Cole Laid to Rest
Carol Ann Cole is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery after a funeral service, 34 years after her death.
Investigation Renewed
With Cole's identification, investigators focus on finding her killer, considering John Chesson a person of interest.