Charley Marie Koole, 40, was found dead in Nashville after her body was discovered on February 22, 2022, in the back of a Dodge Charger abandoned on Paragon Mills Road. The Charger had been parked there since January 15, and had been reported stolen in December 2021 during a strong-armed robbery, raising questions about how long she had been in the vehicle before being found. Medical examiners determined she died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators identified 31-year-old William Justin Churchwell during a probe that intersected with an unrelated armed robbery arrest. Churchwell was taken into custody on an armed robbery warrant and, during questioning, implicated himself in Koole’s killing, saying he was in the passenger seat when he turned, pointed a gun at Koole, and shot her. At the time of the homicide he was out on bond on a previous armed robbery charge; he was later charged in Koole’s murder and held without bond.

Koole, born September 21, 1981, in Fullerton, California, was a mother of five. Her family remembered her for a beautiful infectious smile and described her as loyal, strong, and protective; they also acknowledged she had struggled with addiction. If anyone knew Charley, her movements in January 2022, or has information about the Charger’s disappearance, please come forward.