[Unsolved] Cheryl Coker: The Kroger Parking Lot Mystery

A Bubbly Spirit Gone Too Soon

If you asked anyone who knew Cheryl Lynn Carol Coker to describe her, you'd hear the same three words: bubbly, talkative, and infectious. She was the kind of person who never met a stranger. Whether she was chatting with the cashier at the grocery store or hosting over-the-top holiday celebrations, Cheryl had a larger-than-life personality that lit up every room she entered.

Cheryl was a devoted mother to her two daughters and a hands-on grandmother who spoiled her granddaughter with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything in life. She loved family trips to New York City to see Broadway shows with her mother, Mary. She loved being a hostess. And most of all, she loved her role as a mom and grandmother.

Cheryl was divorced from her daughters' father when she met William "Bill" Coker. To outsiders, they seemed like opposites. Cheryl was bubbly and chatty; Bill was quiet and reserved. Bill adopted Cheryl's older daughter and became part of the family. He was a solid provider who liked structure and routine. For a while, it seemed like a stable, balanced relationship.

But by 2018, cracks were starting to show. Cheryl had discovered that Bill had been unfaithful. She was devastated but determined to move forward. She was planning to move into her own place and start a new chapter in her life.

The Disappearance

On the morning of October 2, 2018, Cheryl Coker vanished. Her SUV was found abandoned in a Kroger parking lot in Riverside, Ohio, with her purse and phone still inside. Cheryl's family knew immediately that something was terribly wrong. Cheryl would never leave her phone behind. She would never disappear without telling anyone.

Bill Coker told police that Cheryl had left the house that morning after an argument. He claimed she had driven off and he didn't know where she went. But Cheryl's family didn't believe him. They knew Cheryl was planning to leave Bill, and they feared the worst.

For a year and a half, Cheryl's family searched desperately for answers. They held vigils, posted flyers, and kept her story alive on social media through the "Justice for Cheryl Coker" page.

The Discovery

In April 2020, Cheryl's remains were discovered in a wooded area not far from her home. Police believe Cheryl was murdered inside her house before being taken to the location where she was found.

The only person of interest in the case is Bill Coker.

The Investigation

Despite strong circumstantial evidence pointing to Bill, no charges have been filed. Police have said they are confident in their case and that the investigation is ongoing. They believe they know what happened—they just need to prove it.

Bill Coker has not been charged with any crime. He has not publicly commented on the case. And Cheryl's family is still waiting for justice.

The Community Remembers

Every October, the Riverside community holds vigils for Cheryl. Her family keeps her spirit alive on the Justice for Cheryl Coker page, posting memories, photos, and updates from investigators. The Ohio Attorney General's office lists Cheryl's homicide as active and unsolved, and names Bill Coker as the only person of interest.

Cheryl Coker was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was on the verge of starting a new chapter in her life when she was silenced. Her family is still waiting for answers.

If you have any information about the murder of Cheryl Coker, no matter how small, please contact:

•Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation: 1-800-282-3784

•Anonymous tips: OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/tips