LINCOLN CITY, OR - A man in his late sixties was on an anniversary trip with his wife when he was allegedly beaten to death by a trained boxer who wanted the retiree's dog. Now, the wife is suing, alleging that the 30-year-old attacker lived a "violent" lifestyle funded and "encouraged" by his retired Wall Street banker dad, who knew he was "dangerous and unstable."
The lawsuit alleges that the man's father, Stephen Evans-Freke, gave his son, Roland Stephen Evans-Freke, "substantial assistance and encouragement" by continuing to pay for Roland's lodging, sending him food, sending him money and other forms of support as his mental health worsened" as he bounced around Oregon, according to Law & Crime.
The Lincoln City hotel where the attack happened, Ashley Inn & Suites, had also been sued by the victim's wife, Debra Cole, for his death before agreeing to a settlement, according to court records.
"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," the legal complaint filed by Cole's wife says.
In May 2024, Bradley Cole and his wife were at the Ashley Inn & Suites celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary when Cole "left this room to take his dog for a walk on the grounds" while his wife waited in their room.
"Roland was smoking a cigarette," the complaint says. "When defendant Roland saw Bradley Cole and his dog, he approached him and demanded that he surrender his dog. When Bradley Cole refused to give up his dog, Defendant Roland viciously attacked Bradley Cole."
Roland Evans-Freke allegedly punched, kicked and kneed Cole "for several minutes" then left the scene of the attack with Cole's dog, according to the complaint. He allegedly returned several minutes later and continued the assault.
"Bradley Cole suffered injuries so severe that his face was covered in blood, severely swollen, and significantly deformed and discolored," the complaint says. "Bradley Cole's right ear was severed down to the center and his eyelids were bulging out of his face." Bystanders who saw the alleged attack grabbed Roland Evans-Freke and held him down until police arrived.
Officers used a Taser on him after he resisted arrest. He was then taken into custody without further incident. Cole's wife accused the hotel and Stephen Evans-Freke of negligence, saying both "enabled and encouraged" Roland Evans-Freke's "increasing violent behavior."
"From his teens throughout his twenties, defendant Roland's rage and violent behavior increased, and he developed worsening mental health issues, including worsening delusions," the complaint says. "Despite being aware of defendant Roland's violent propensities, defendant Stephen arranged and paid for his son to train with three-time world champion boxer Julian 'The Hawk' Jackson for approximately one year."
The complaint also alleges that after his boxing training, Roland Evans-Freke's mental health worsened, culminating in an arson attempt and his forcible commitment to a psychiatric hospital. "During this time, his mother discovered a huge cache of guns, knives, and swords from defendant Roland's room," according to the complaint.
"Upon his release from a psychiatric hospital, defendant Stephen arranged for defendant Roland to continue his training at Gleason's Boxing Gym in Brooklyn, New York," according to the complaint. "While he was training at Gleason's Boxing Gym, defendant Roland's mental health worsened further, culminating in his being taken into protective custody and forcibly committed to a psychiatric hospital."
"Stephen paid for his son to stay in budget motels in Oregon," the document alleges. "Defendant Roland was consistently evicted from these hotels due to guest complaints, damage to his room, and lack of personal hygiene." Roland Evans-Freke has been charged with murder, assault and robbery.
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