PIKEVILLE, KY – A Kentucky man received two life sentences after pleading guilty to the murder and kidnapping of his 12-year-old daughter, bringing a tragic case to a somber conclusion.
Stacy Collins, 50, was apprehended following the death of his daughter, Stacia Collins, in August 2022. Initially, he contested the charges but later struck a plea deal with prosecutors earlier this year.
The shocking events unraveled when Collins sent a distressing text to the child’s mother, forebodingly asking if she wanted to speak to her daughter “one last time.” After sending the message, Collins shot himself, though he survived.
The grim message was sent to Summer Mullins, the girl’s mother, who described receiving it on the morning of August 16, 2022, but her attempts to reach either him or her daughter were futile. Law enforcement later discovered Collins with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while Stacia’s body was found miles from home, also claimed by gunfire.
Following his recovery, Collins was detained at the Big Sandy Detention Center. He appeared in court last week for sentencing, where poignant statements were shared, including Mullins’ pointed words expressing her anguish and hope for divine justice.
Collins will serve his life sentences concurrently and will be eligible for parole in 25 years, a stipulation that could see him released in his late 70s. However, the emotional impact of his actions reverberates, especially as he prepares to be transferred to a state prison to serve his term.
This tragic case has rippled through the small Kentucky community, drawing attention to the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlighting the importance of early intervention in family disputes that may escalate. The Pikeville community continues to grapple with the loss and mourns the vibrant life cut short by an act of unfathomable violence.
As the legal proceedings conclude, thoughts now turn to the healing process for those left behind, particularly Mullins, who must navigate life in the shadow of unspeakable loss.