Richard Cole (1975 – 1975) was an LDS church member in Santa Rosa, California; accused of sexually and physically abusing his wife; in 1975 was murdered by his wife when she said needed the abuse to stop.

Richard Cole was a Mormon church member in Santa Rosa, California.  Joan Cole, Richards wife, claimed that Richard Cole beat her several times a week and raped her. His victim grew tired of his abuse and threats against taking her children and never allowing her to see them again and she shot and killed Richard. The judge called Richard’s behavior “bizarre.”

Joan was sentenced to 1 year prison and 5 years probation.

 

Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.

As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.

Search the FLOODLIT Database

Share this page https://floodlit.org/a/a668/

Sources

  1. Joan Cole Draws Prison Sentence, Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 8, 1976.
  2. Joan Cole is Sentenced to Term in State Prison, Petaluma Argus-Courier, June 8, 1976.

Documents

Have docs or info? Add information

Criminal case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related probable cause affidavit. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Civil case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Other documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.

Timeline

  • 1975
    Born

Images/photos

Add information

If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.

Other Mormon sex abuse cases

    • James Denos (1929 – 2017) was a former LDS bishop and junior high school teacher in Utah; previously lived and served as a Mormon bishop in 1970 in Westminster, Orange County, California; sentenced in 2002 to a minimum of 20 years in a Utah state prison for sexually abusing four minor girls living in Utah; allegedly began molesting kids as early as 1950
    • View report »
      • "In public, my father was always so perfect, and he told us he was perfect. [...] He went to church every Sunday, we had family home evening and we read the Scriptures. People put him on a pedestal. But he was molesting children … right under our noses."
      — James Denos's daughter
    • Scott Owen (1959 – ) was a Mormon bishop (twice), stake presidency counselor and therapist in Provo, Utah; called himself the "Porn King;" accused by 7 former patients of sexually abusing them during sessions, and by a cousin (alleged sex abuse in 1980s); an LDS bishop, a stake president (his business partner) and Utah DOPL all allegedly failed to report to police; arrested in Nov. 2023; sentenced in 2025 to prison
    • View report »
    • Clark Crookston (1949 – ) was a former Mormon bishop, dentist and college professor in Orem, Utah; accused of nearly 60 years of sex abuse of multiple children; pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated child sexual abuse; sentenced in 2022 to up to 35 years in prison
    • View report »
      • "I assumed I was alone. I felt guilty even to question his worthiness. [...] I buried the hurt and kept it secret for over 30 years. [...] The children who came forward are my heroes. These are the brave souls [who] broke the curse that has been happening for nearly 60 years."
      — Jane Doe, abuse survivor