Dutchess County Man Charged with Killing Mother

A Dutchess County Man has been charged with choking his mother to death and tampering with evidence.

Charles D. Cole, 48, of Pleasant Valley was convicted in Dutchess County Court on 2nd degree murder and tampering with physical evidence, felonies.

Cole is charged with choking his mother, Betty Cole, to death in August 2015 at the Pleasant Valley Motel on Route 44. According to the Dutchess County District Attorney’s office, with the help of his wife, Ronalda Cole, Betty’s body was stored in a plastic bin for months before being transported and dropped in a wooded area in South Carolina in October 2015.

Ronalda Cole pled guilty to tampering with physical evidence on February 26. She is awaiting sentencing.

Charles Cole is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be in court on March 11.