On March 8, 2007 Ronald ‘Ronnie’ L. Collins and his wife, Connie Sue Fowler Collins were found dead in the bedroom of their home in Roseville, Perry County, Ohio. First, the authorities thought they had died in an accidental fire. However, the autopsy showed both victims were killed.
The Times Recorder from June 6, 2007 had the final autopsy results. Ronnie and Connie were killed prior to the fire. The State Fire Marshall concluded the fire was arson.
Ronnie was shot in the head. Connie was shot in her right arm and the right side of her abdomen. It seems as if Connie had held up her arm in self-defense. They were found in the bedroom; however, it is not clear that they were killed there. Because of the fire any signs and evidence of secondary crime scenes were destroyed.
The couple were found in their bed, which was strange according to the family. Ronnie had a bad back and preferred to sleep on the couch. In the Times Recorder from March 17, 2007 I found that the fire was reported by a neighbor just after midnight. The fire was under control within 30min.
What could have been the motive for this crime? Money is an option. According to the papers, Ronnie had won a workers’ compensation settlement about six months prior to their deaths. Did the couple keep cash in the house? Was there a safe? Who knew about the safe or the settlement? Were any computers found? Could they have made online money transfers under duress? Did anyone try to access their bank accounts? What was stolen from the home? Who benefits from their deaths? Not accusing anyone but these questions need to be asked.
There is no information online about a possible weapon found in the remains of their house. In fact, there is little online. I am just glad to have found the case on the website of the Ohio Attorney General.
Contact information
If you have any information about this double homicide, please call the Perry County Sheriff’s Office at 740 342-4123.
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In the series “Case of the Month” I highlight old unsolved cases. These posts are not an in-depth analysis and of course, more information can be found online and in newspaper archives.
We need to get these cases back in the mainstream media, to get people talking again, and if anything, to make sure that we do not forget the victims. Just because their cases are unsolved does not mean that we can forget about them.
With the advances in modern forensic sciences, we have a chance to find clues that previously remained hidden. So, let us review all these old cases once more.
I encourage you to share this post on your own social media platforms. By sharing these posts online, the cases reach new networks, new connections, and the latest news feeds. One day these updates may pop up in the right person’s news feed. That may be someone who can help advance the case and that is my goal.
Rest in peace, Ronnie and Connie Collins.