Full Breakdown
Fatal Oregon Anniversary Attack Spurs Lawsuit Over Father’s Funding and Hotel’s Role
6/30/2026, 1:11:30 AM
Fatal Attack at Ashley Inn & Suites
In May 2024, 69-year-old Bradley Cole and his wife celebrated their 37th anniversary at the Ashley Inn & Suites in Lincoln City, Oregon. While walking his dog, Cole was approached by 30-year-old boxer Roland Evans-Freke, who demanded the animal. When Cole refused, Evans-Freke assaulted him, seized the dog and fled. Bystanders restrained the attacker until police arrived; officers used a Taser after he resisted. Cole suffered facial injuries, including a severed ear and bulging eyelids, and later died.
Background and Timeline
The civil complaint says Roland’s violent behavior began in his teens and escalated through his twenties, accompanied by worsening delusions. Stephen Evans-Freke, a retired Wall Street banker living in Ireland, funded a year-long training program with three-time world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson and later training at Gleason’s Boxing Gym in Brooklyn. After multiple psychiatric commitments, Stephen continued to pay for Roland’s budget-motel stays in Oregon and coordinated with the Ashley Inn & Suites to keep him housed despite evictions. The May 2024 attack on Bradley Cole led Cole’s wife to file a lawsuit naming Stephen and the hotel; the hotel settled a related suit in 2024. Roland now faces murder, assault and robbery charges and is scheduled for trial in April 2027.
Official Statements & Criticism
The complaint asserts Stephen “was aware of defendant Roland’s violent propensities and florid psychosis” and failed to act, and it alleges the hotel “coordinated” with him to keep Roland’s room funded. Debra Cole, the victim’s spouse, accuses both Stephen and Ashley Inn & Suites of negligence, saying they “enabled and encouraged” Roland’s “increasing violent behavior.” The hotel’s attorney, Michael B. Hallinan, and Stephen Evans-Freke have not responded to media inquiries. Police reports confirm the Taser use and Roland’s arrest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Defendant Stephen was aware of defendant Roland's violent propensities and florid psychosis but took no actions to improve it, change it, or prevent defendant Roland from harming others,” — legal complaint.
- “Bradley Cole suffered injuries so severe that his face was covered in blood, severely swollen, and significantly deformed and discolored,” — legal complaint.
- “From his teens throughout his twenties, defendant Roland's rage and violent behavior increased, and he developed worsening mental health issues, including worsening delusions,” — legal complaint.
- “Cole's wife accused the Ashley Inn & Suites and Stephen Evans-Freke of negligence, saying both "enabled and encouraged" Roland Evans-Freke's "increasing violent behavior," according to the complaint.” — legal complaint.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The complaint provides no independent verification of the alleged coordination between Stephen Evans-Freke and the hotel, and neither Stephen nor the hotel’s attorney has issued a public comment. The exact amount of financial assistance given to Roland remains undisclosed.
What’s Next
Roland Evans-Freke is slated for trial in April 2027, while the civil suit against Stephen Evans-Freke and Ashley Inn & Suites proceeds.
