The peaceful neighborhood of San Tan Valley has been shaken by the tragic murder of Mary Collier, a 38-year-old mother of four. On a quiet street decorated with Halloween decorations and filled with families preparing for festivities, neighbors are now grappling with the horrifying details of this sudden tragedy, which occurred just a day before Halloween.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has released details indicating that Mary Collier was killed by her own son, an 18-year-old who used an edged weapon to carry out the attack. Afterward, he made a chilling call to 911, falsely claiming his mother had been kidnapped. Authorities say he reported the incident himself, apparently attempting to create a fabricated story that might cover up his involvement. It was later discovered that Mary was not kidnapped; instead, she was brutally killed in a nearby field.
A Community in Shock
Residents in San Tan Valley are in disbelief. The community, which typically prepares for Halloween with decorations and family activities, is struggling to come to terms with how something so horrifying could happen in their own neighborhood. One neighbor, Jill Appleberry, who lives just a few doors down from the Collier family, expressed her shock at the news. She noted the stomach-turning thought of how someone could be so hateful and violent toward the person who brought them into the world.
Mary Collier’s family and friends remember her as a kind, loving, and caring woman who was a devoted mother. Known for her patience and warmth, she was deeply involved in the lives of her four children and was cherished by everyone who knew her. With this sudden loss, her family now faces an unimaginable reality. One family friend expressed particular sadness for her younger children, who are left to process the fact that their older brother took away their mother and that they will now have to grow up without her presence.
Details of the Incident Emerge
The tragic event unfolded following a reported argument between Mary Collier and her son on a Tuesday evening. According to Mary’s husband, after the dispute, the mother and son decided to take a walk together early Wednesday morning, hoping to resolve any lingering tensions. Mary’s son, however, returned home alone, which raised suspicions. Her husband, noticing her absence, questioned their son about her whereabouts, but the young man’s story kept changing, leading to growing concerns.
In a further heartbreaking twist, it was a jogger who made the discovery of Mary’s body in a nearby field around 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities reported that Mary had suffered fatal injuries from an edged weapon. Following this gruesome discovery, investigators began piecing together what had happened. Her son’s inconsistent story and the evidence led the police to conclude that he was responsible for her death.
Family and Community Seek Answers
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has shared that the 18-year-old suspect had no prior history of mental illness and no previous run-ins with the law. Despite this, he now faces a first-degree murder charge. Once released from the hospital, where he was treated for self-inflicted injuries, the young man is expected to be officially booked for his mother’s murder.
This lack of a criminal or mental health history has left many in the community, as well as Mary’s family, grappling for answers. Her husband spoke about the shock of discovering that his son, who showed no previous signs of violence, could commit such a heinous act. He shared that the family never anticipated this and has been left devastated by the tragic loss of a loved one.
Community Support and Memorial Efforts
In the wake of this tragedy, the San Tan Valley community has come together to support the Collier family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with the family’s immediate needs and to help provide some stability during this difficult time. For those in the community wishing to contribute, information on how to help is available on the sheriff’s office website.
Neighbors and friends continue to express their grief and frustration, lamenting the senseless violence that led to Mary Collier’s untimely death. “It’s heartbreaking to see another life lost because of violence,” a community member remarked. The family and the community are left with a void that no amount of support can fully fill. Mary will be remembered as a beloved mother, friend, and neighbor whose life was tragically cut short.
