Buried Alive and Killed for Cash | The Heartbreaking Story of Carol and Reggie Sumner

Carol and Reggie Sumner, both 61, were high school sweethearts who reconnected decades later. Carol had survived a physically abusive second marriage, including being shot by her husband. They married in 2001 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2005, seeking a warmer climate for Reggie's chronic diabetes and Carol's recent liver cancer diagnosis. Their move was meant to be a fresh start in their golden years.

Carol and Reggie were both 61 years old in 2005. They knew each other all growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, and had secret crushes. Carol survived a second abusive marriage where her husband shot her multiple times before shooting himself. They reconnected in 2000 when Reggie called the cable company where Carol worked, and they married in 2001. They moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in March 2005 for Reggie's diabetes and Carol's liver cancer.

Carol's daughter, Rhonda, grew concerned after several days without contact. Upon visiting their Jacksonville home, she found the Sumners' car missing, a rotting fried chicken dinner on the stove, and Carol's essential surgical boot left behind, indicating an unplanned departure. The couple's dog was also left unfed and thirsty. Investigators tracked suspicious large cash withdrawals from their accounts. A man claiming to be Reggie called the police multiple times, providing conflicting details about his location (Delaware vs. South Carolina) and the circumstances, raising immediate red flags for detectives.

Rhonda hadn't heard from Carol for a few days (10:22). She found their car gone, a fried chicken dinner covered in flies on the stove (11:36), and Carol's surgical boot inside (15:14). The dog was hungry and thirsty (15:30). Investigators found huge withdrawals from their bank accounts (17:18). A man claiming to be Reggie Sumner called the police, stating he was in Delaware for a funeral, but couldn't provide a clear address and later corrected the 'city' name (18:30, 26:31). Cell phone data later confirmed the calls originated from a motel in South Carolina, not Delaware (33:33).

The investigation quickly focused on Tiffany Cole, a 24-year-old family friend and former neighbor from South Carolina. Tiffany and her boyfriend, Michael Jackson, learned the Sumners had recently profited $90,000 from selling Carol's previous home. This information led them to devise a plan to rob the couple, enlisting Allan Wade and Bruce Nixon. The group purchased supplies like shovels, plastic wrap, and duct tape, indicating a premeditated and sinister intent beyond simple robbery.

Tiffany Cole, a 24-year-old family friend and former neighbor, frequently visited the Sumners in Florida (37:01). During a visit, the Sumners discussed selling Carol's South Carolina house for $90,000 (41:27). Tiffany and Michael Jackson then conceived a plan to rob them (42:04). They recruited Allan Wade and Bruce Nixon (42:44). On July 8, 2005, the four bought shovels, plastic wrap, and duct tape (43:20).

Allan and Bruce gained entry to the Sumners' home by asking to use the phone. Once inside, they cut the phone line and threatened the couple with a toy gun, which Carol and Reggie believed was real. They tied the elderly couple with duct tape, beat them, and forced them into the trunk of their own car. The Sumners were driven to a secluded area in Georgia, where they were coerced into revealing their bank account details. Despite their pleas, the four perpetrators threw Carol and Reggie into a pre-dug hole and buried them alive, piling dirt on top until they suffocated.

Allan and Bruce knocked on the Sumners' door, asking to use the phone. Carol let them in (45:09). Allan cut the phone cord, and Bruce pulled out a realistic-looking toy gun (45:26). They tied Carol and Reggie with duct tape, beat them (46:17), and forced them into the trunk of their car (46:56). They drove to a secluded spot in Georgia (48:18). The perpetrators demanded bank account information, passwords, and PINs (49:33). They then threw Carol and Reggie into the hole and buried them alive (50:04).

After the murder, the perpetrators ransacked the Sumners' home for valuables. They managed to withdraw only $1,000 in cash from the Sumners' accounts, which, when split four ways, amounted to a mere $250 per person. Bruce Nixon, who cooperated with police, received a plea deal for 52 years to life. Tiffany Cole, Michael Jackson, and Allan Wade were all convicted of first-degree murder and initially sentenced to death. However, due to changes in Florida's death penalty laws requiring a unanimous (later 8-4 majority) jury vote, Tiffany and Allan's sentences were commuted to life in prison, while Michael's death sentence was upheld.

The perpetrators stole valuables from the Sumners' house (55:01) and withdrew $1,000 from their bank accounts (55:16). Bruce Nixon received a plea deal for two counts of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and lesser charges, resulting in a 52-year to life sentence (56:17). Tiffany Cole (01:01:33), Michael Jackson (01:02:06), and Allan Wade (01:03:03) were all found guilty of first-degree murder and initially sentenced to death. A new Florida law in April 2023, requiring unanimous jury verdicts for the death penalty, led to re-sentencing hearings. Tiffany and Allan's sentences were commuted to life in prison, while Michael's death sentence remained (01:04:31).