Daniel Cook Executed in Arizona

Daniel Cook, Arizona

On August 8, 2012, Daniel Wayne Cook was executed by the state of Arizona. Daniel was pronounced dead at 11:03 am local time, inside the Central Unit execution chamber at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Florence, in Florence, Arizona. Daniel was 51 years of age. He was convicted and executed for the double murder of 26-year-old Carlos Froyan Cruz-Ramos and 16-year-old Kevin Swaney on July 20, 1987, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Carlos was tortured, while both men were sodomized. Daniel was executed exactly 24 years after he was sentenced to death. He spent those final years on death row in Arizona.

Daniel’s co-defendant, John Matzke, confessed to police and pled guilty. He received a 20 years sentence and was released in July of 2007.

As a child, Daniel was frequently physically and sexually abused. He was often in foster homes. His mother used drugs and alcohol during her pregnancy with Daniel. Daniel also abused drugs. Both victims and Daniel and his co-defendant all worked at the same restaurant.

Please pray for peace and healing for the families of Carlos Cruz-Ramos and Kevin Swaney. Please pray for the family of Daniel.

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