Recent news regarding Roni Collins (1950–2026) has shifted significantly following a major breakthrough in a Michigan cold case. While he was initially memorialized as a local musician, recent forensic evidence has linked him to a high-profile crime from the 1980s.
Cold Case Breakthrough (April 2026)
On April 18, 2026, the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Roni Collins had been identified through DNA as the person responsible for the 1983 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 16-year-old Sheri Jo Elliott.
The Original Case: Sheri Jo Elliott disappeared on November 16, 1983, while walking to a bus stop in Flint, Michigan. Her body was discovered four days later in a rural area of Blumfield Township. The case remained cold for over 40 years.
The Investigation: In 2023, investigators utilized forensic-grade genome sequencing to develop a DNA profile of the suspect. This led them to Collins, a resident of Grand Blanc, Michigan.
The Conclusion: Before police could obtain a voluntary DNA sample, Collins died by suicide in January 2026. However, DNA collected during his autopsy was analyzed and found to be a direct match to the evidence recovered from the crime scene in 1983.
Death and Original Obituary
Roni Collins passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 75.
Public Persona: Prior to the recent police findings, he was known in the Grand Blanc and Flint areas as a talented musician. He was a singer and bass player for several local bands, most notably The Wayback Machine and The Good Foot.
Reaction: Following the April 18 police announcement, his online memorial guestbook has seen a stark shift, with many community members expressing shock and anger over the revelation of his decades-long “double life.”
Other Individuals Named Roni Collins
If you are looking for information on a different person, there are a few other recent notices:
Rina R. Collins (1941–2026): A resident of Madawaska, Maine, who passed away on January 9, 2026.
Ronald Collins Barker (1942–2026): An 83-year-old from Eads, Tennessee, who passed away on February 5, 2026.
Ronnie Beauren Collins (1939–2025): A lifelong resident of Orlando, Florida, whose services were held in late 2025.
