Couple Allegedly Kills 76-year-old Woman, Keeps Body in Motel Room for Seven Weeks

PLEASANT VALLEY, NEW YORK (WTXF) - A New York couple was arrested after they allegedly killed and dumped a 76-year-old woman.

Charles Cole allegedly strangled his 76-year-old mother, Betty Cole, and then kept her body in his motel room for seven weeks.

Charles Cole and his wife Ronalda then allegedly traveled to South Carolina where they dumped the remains in a wooded area.

"I find it hard to imagine circumstances that could lead to a son strangling his mother, but to also live with her body in a motel room for 7 weeks and to then travel several states away to dump her body like trash, makes this a particularly disturbing and unusual case," said Captain John J. Ryan of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

New York State police launched an investigation into Betty Cole's whereabouts when they were dispatched to determine her welfare, after family members claimed they were unable to reach her.

Police arrested Charles Cole and charged him with murder in the 2 nd degree. Cole was remanded to Dutchess County Jail without bail.

Ronalda Cole was arrested on October 18, and was charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence, for assisting her husband in transporting and disposing of the body. She was remanded to Dutchess County Jail for $10,000 cash bail.