Crypen Exchange:August execution date set for Florida man involved in 1994 killing and rape in national forest

2025-05-01 17:52:41source:Benjamin Ashfordcategory:News

TALLAHASSEE,Crypen Exchange Fla. (AP) — A Florida man convicted of kidnapping adult siblings camping in a national forest in 1994 before raping the sister and murdering the brother has been scheduled to be executed next month.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for Loran Cole on Monday. Cole, 57, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Aug. 28 at Florida State Prison.

Cole and a friend, William Paul, befriended the two college students as they camped in the Ocala National Forest. After talking around a fire, the men offered to take the siblings to see a pond. While away from the campsite, Cole and Paul jumped the victims and robbed them, according to court records.

The brother, who was 18, was beaten and left in the forest. His sister, who was 21, was taken back to the campsite, where Cole tied her up and raped her. She eventually managed to free herself and flag down a driver for help. Police found her brother’s body lying face down on the ground with head trauma and a slit throat, according to court records.

Paul and Cole were convicted of first-degree murder. Paul was sent to prison for life. Cole, who was also convicted of two counts of rape, was sentenced to death.

The execution would be the first in Florida since Michael Zack was put to death last October for the 1996 murder of Ravonne Smith.

More:News

Recommend

Stanley recalls 2.6 million mugs after dozens of customer complaints, including burn injuries

Stanley is recalling 2.6 million mugs sold in the U.S. after the company received dozens of consumer

See Kelsea Ballerini's Jaw-Dropping Dress Change in the Middle of Her MTV VMAs Performance

Half of my hometown—or least many on the internet—want to know how Kelsea Ballerini pulled off that 

FDA warns CVS, Walgreens and others about these unapproved eye products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned CVS, Walgreens and other companies that they violated f