Murder of Ruth Pelke

Ruth Pelke was a 78-year-old American from Gary, Indiana, who was murdered by Paula R. Cooper (August 25, 1969 – May 26, 2015), aged 15, on May 14, 1985. Cooper stabbed Pelke 33 times with a butcher knife before stealing ten dollars and her car. A year later, Cooper was sentenced to death on July 11, 1986.

Murder of Ruth Pelke

Ruth Pelke was a 78-year-old American from Gary, Indiana, who was murdered by Paula R. Cooper (August 25, 1969 – May 26, 2015), aged 15, on May 14, 1985. Cooper stabbed Pelke 33 times with a butcher knife before stealing ten dollars and her car. A year later, Cooper was sentenced to death on July 11, 1986.