Michigan authorities have identified Roni Collins, 75, as the suspect in the 1983 murder of 16-year-old Sheri Jo Elliott in Flint. The case was reopened in 2023 with the help of the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program, leading to the breakthrough. Collins died by suicide in January 2024 before authorities could obtain a DNA sample, but evidence collected from his autopsy confirmed his involvement.
Elliott disappeared on November 16, 1983, after leaving her home to walk to the bus stop. Her body was found four days later in a ditch in Saginaw County, with an autopsy revealing she had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times. The case remained unsolved for decades until advancements in DNA technology and a renewed investigation provided new leads.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) worked alongside Elliott’s family and community members during the initial search. Her aunt, Judy Sika, described the ordeal as devastating, recalling the efforts to distribute missing person flyers and the anguish of learning her body had been found. The MSP credited the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program for reorganizing and digitizing decades of investigative material, which was critical in reopening the case.
Collins, a resident of Grand Blanc, was identified through genetic genealogy and DNA analysis. His death by suicide prevented a formal arrest, but authorities confirmed his role in the crime. The case highlights the growing role of advanced forensic technology in solving cold cases.