In September of 1979, the life of 35-year-old Diana Faye Younglove Pashal came to a tragic and violent end in San Diego, California. For a time, the true circumstances of her death remained hidden, a secret kept by the man who had vowed to love and protect her. Diana, a woman who struggled with alcoholism, was married to a man named Carroll Edward Cole, who shared her affliction. Their marriage was reportedly tumultuous, marked by frequent arguments and fights. It was in the midst of this volatile relationship that Diana's life was cut short.
In September 1979, Carroll Cole strangled his wife, Diana, to death. He then concealed her body in a closet within their home. It wasn't until eight days later, after a neighbor grew suspicious and contacted the police, that Diana's body was discovered, wrapped in a blanket. Despite the suspicious circumstances of the discovery, authorities at the time attributed her death to her history of heavy drinking and, after questioning, released Cole without charge. This initial conclusion allowed a serial killer to walk free, leaving the true story of Diana's death to be uncovered later.
It was not until Carroll Edward Cole was arrested in Dallas in November 1980 for other crimes that the truth about Diana's death came to light. While in custody, Cole confessed to a string of murders, including that of his wife, Diana. His confession painted a grim picture of a man who had committed numerous acts of violence against women across multiple states. While he was not specifically tried for Diana's murder due to his other convictions, the truth of her demise was finally known. Cole was ultimately convicted for three murders in Texas and sentenced to life in prison. Later, he was extradited to Nevada, where he was convicted of two more murders and sentenced to death. Carroll Edward Cole was executed by lethal injection in Nevada on December 6, 1985. The case of Diana Faye Younglove Pashal, initially misjudged, ultimately became a closed chapter in the dark history of a prolific serial killer, a narrative of a life lost and justice, in a broader sense, eventually served.
