Florida Executes Loran Cole on August 29, 2024

Loran Cole, Florida

Updated: Thursday, August 29, 2024

On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Loran Cole was executed by the state of Florida.  He was pronounced dead at 6:15 pm local time, inside the execution chamber at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida.  Loran was 57 years of age.  He was convicted of murdering 18-year-old John Edwards on February 18, 1994, in the Ocala National Forest in Florida.  Loran spent the last 28 years of his life on death row in Florida.

At the age of 17, Loran was sent to Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, a reform school that has since come under fire for abuses committed at the school.  Loran unsuccessfully attempted to argue that the severe abuse he suffered contributed to his criminal behavior.  During his six months at the school, Loran was allegedly raped, beaten repeatedly, and had both his legs broken after a failed escape attempt.

On February 18, 2024, Pam Edwards and her brother John, a freshman at Florida State University, met up for a planned campaign trip at Hopkins Prairie in Ocala National Forest, Florida.  As they were setting up camp, Loran Cole came by and introduced himself as “Kevin.”  Cole spent some time helping them set up camp.  Later that evening Cole returned with another man, William Paul, who was introduced as Cole’s brother.  Paul carried with him a walking stick.  

The four people sat around the fire until about 10:45 pm, when they decided to go for a walk to a nearby pond.  They never found the pond.  While walking, Cole jumped on Pam and knocked her to the ground.  When Pam got up and attempted to run, Cole again jumped her, hit her, handcuffed her, and threw her on the ground.  While Cole and Pam fought, Paul and John also began fighting, with John gaining control of Paul’s walking stick.  After subduing Pam, Cole joined the fight and helped Paul subdue John.  John was placed on the ground next to Pam.

As they lay there, Cole stated he wanted to steal their cars and rifled through their pockets for jewelry and other valuables.  Paul then took Pam and headed up the trail.  As they were walking, Pam heard Cole asking John why he hurt Paul.  John responded by grunting a few times.  Cole then returned to Pam and Paul and decided to wait until John passed out.  When John did not pass out, Cole dragged him off the trail, claiming he was going to tie him up.  Out of sight of Pam, she heard gagging noises.  It was later discovered that John’s through had been slit and that he received multiple blows to the back of the head, all resulting in his death.

Cole returned and insinuated that John had been throwing up.  The three of them returned to the campsite, where Cole threatened Pam’s and John’s life if she didn’t undress and sleep with him.  The following morning, Cole told Pam he checked on John and John was fine.  Cole also raped Pam again before he and Paul packed up everything they could carry.  They left Pam gagged and tied to a tree.  

Pam was able to free herself and attempted to find her brother.  She was unsuccessful and eventually flagged down a passing car, who helped her contact the police.  The police quickly found John’s body.  They arrested Cole and Paul a short time later.

Paul pled “nolo contendere” which means he accepted conviction without admitting guilt, and was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole.  Cole was tried by a jury, found guilty, and sentenced to death.

Pray for peace and healing for Pam Edwards.  Pray for the family of John Edwards.  Please pray for strength for the family of Loran Cole.