Loran Kenstley Cole was born on November 11, 1966, in Iowa. He had a difficult childhood marked by physical and emotional abuse. His parents, Don and Ann Cole, struggled with addiction to alcohol and other substances. Due to their neglect, Loran and his sisters experienced hardship. His mother even spent time in prison during his early years. Loran's father was known for his violent behavior when drinking, which created a chaotic home environment.

Throughout his childhood, Loran was placed in foster care multiple times. His two step-sisters, Ann Marie Powers and Andrea Jane Headlee, confirmed that these placements were a response to the challenges they all faced at home. As a teenager, Loran encountered further trauma. At the age of 17, he spent six months at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. This facility was known for its harsh conditions. Loran reportedly suffered severe physical and sexual abuse at the hands of staff members there. He endured regular beatings and was even raped by one of the guards. Loran's attempts to escape from the school resulted in significant injuries, including broken legs.

Following his stint at the Dozier School, Loran's early adult life included numerous run-ins with the law. Between 1985 and 1991, he was arrested 13 times. His criminal record included theft and burglary. In 1991, he received a 5 and a half year sentence for grand theft but was released on parole after serving just one year. At the time of his release, authorities assessed him as having a low risk of reoffending. By the time of his arrest for serious crimes later on, Loran was divorced and had a son living in Ohio.

On February 18, 1994, Loran Kenstley Cole and his accomplice, William Christopher Paul, attacked John and Pam Edwards at a camping site in Ocala National Forest, Florida. John, an 18-year-old college student, and his sister Pam, a 21-year-old student, were camping together. During their trip, they met Cole, who introduced himself as "Kevin," and Paul, whom Cole claimed was his brother.

As they walked together, the situation rapidly turned violent. Cole handcuffed Pam and threw her to the ground. John tried to defend his sister but was quickly overpowered. Cole attacked John, fatally injuring him with a knife before raping Pam multiple times. The next day, they left Pam tied up in the woods and stole the siblings' car and belongings.

Two days after the attack, Pam managed to free herself and reported the incident to the police. Investigators released sketches of the attackers, leading to Cole's arrest. He was identified as the ringleader of the crime. Cole and Paul were charged with several serious offenses, including murder and kidnapping.

During the trial, evidence, including Pam's testimony, established Cole's role in the crimes. In 1995, a jury found him guilty and recommended the death penalty, which the judge imposed in December of that year.

Cole’s legal appeals continued for years, but his conviction and sentence were upheld by various courts, including the Florida Supreme Court. In 2024, close to 30 years after the murder, Loran Kenstley Cole was scheduled to be executed. After failing to secure a stay of execution, he was executed by lethal injection on August 29, 2024. He declined to make a final statement before his death.