Brothers Who Killed: Where Are Anthony and Nathaniel Cook Now
Anthony and Nathaniel Cook: Toledo’s Deadly Duo
In August 1989, Beverly Hills saw a horrific crime that shocked the nation. Erik and Lyle Mendendez returned home from a movie night to discover their parents shot dead. The brothers, later found guilty in 1996, claimed self-defense due to alleged years of sexual abuse by their parents.
That defense didn’t hold up, but an even darker tale unfolded in Toledo, Ohio, in the early 1980s – one involving brothers who killed not out of self-preservation, but out of sheer predation. Anthony and Nathaniel Cook terrorized the city on a killing spree, targeting innocent victims. What became of them? Here is the story.
The Tale of Two Brothers: Anthony and Nathaniel Cook
In August 2018, Nathaniel walked free after 20 years of imprisonment, despite the judge’s reluctance. Confessing to three of the nine murders committed, Nathaniel secured a reduced sentence through a plea deal struck two decades prior. At age 59 upon release, he faced the harsh reality of re-entering society as a registered sex offender.
Nathaniel Cook’s Struggle for Normalcy
Life post-release proved challenging for Nathaniel, who opened up to the media briefly about his hardships. Employment opportunities remained scarce, and his efforts to lead a regular life were often thwarted. Despite his hopes for normalcy, the obstacles he faced left him frustrated and desiring a sense of normalcy that seemed out of reach.
The Cook Brothers’ Reign of Terror Unveiled
In 2000, Anthony and Nathaniel admitted to nine killings, targeting lone women and young couples. Anthony confessed to five murders and received consecutive life sentences, serving time at Chillicothe Correctional Institution. Nathaniel’s plea deal led to his eventual release, shedding light on the chilling accounts of their crimes.
Surviving the Night: Cheryl Bartlett’s Encounter with the Cook Brothers
Cheryl Bartlett recounted a harrowing night on a podcast, where she detailed a violent assault by Anthony and Nathaniel Cook in January 1981. Walking with her fiancé, the couple encountered the Cook brothers, leading to a traumatic event that forever altered Bartlett’s life. The ordeal, including rape and gun violence, left her severely traumatized but ultimately resilient in her journey to rebuild and move forward.
By delving into the unsettling chronicles of Anthony and Nathaniel Cook, the true extent of their crimes comes to light, alongside the stories of those who survived their terror.