Collins indicted on murder, kidnapping charges in daughter’s death

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PAINTSVILLE — A Johnson County man was arrested last week and charged with murder in the death of his daughter.

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Saylor said that his office executed an arrest warrant Aug. 30 for Stacy Collins, charging him with the murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Stacia Leigh Collins, on Aug. 11.

Collins, 47, of Van Lear, apparently shot his daughter and then shot himself, authorities said.

Collins was indicted on murder and kidnapping charges Tuesday by the Johnson County Grand Jury. The indictment says he restrained his daughter “with the intent to inflict bodily injury, or to terrorize another, or to accomplish or advance the commission of a felony” prior to shooting her.

The 24th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office said the charges carry the potential for the death penalty.

Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby confirmed last month that the body of Stacia Leigh Collins, who had been reported missing, was found in the Miller’s Creek area of Boons Camp Aug. 11.

Frisby stated that there had been a lot of people out looking for the girl and confirmed that her father had also been found suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“He shot her and then shot himself,” Frisby said. “He was still alive.”

A release issued at the time by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies responded to a reported assault in the Van Lear community of Johnson County. Upon their arrival, they discovered Stacy Collins suffering from what was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Collins was taken to Highlands ARH Hospital, and officers continued to search for the daughter.

After exhausting numerous leads to locate the juvenile, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with Emergency Management Director Gary McClure began assembling search crews, the release said. The search was to initially concentrate in the area that her father was found.

“Sadly, with public assistance, the juvenile was soon located, but was deceased,” the release said. “Remains were transported by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort.”

Saylor said that Stacy Collins was found two to three miles from where his daughter’s body was located.

The case is still under investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Collins was taken into custody and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Johnson County following his arrest Aug. 30.