Louisiana: Michael Collins arrested for Kentucky double murder of Eugene Gurley and Patricia Gurley
The Allen County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky says police have arrested Michael T. Collins, who is wanted for two counts of first degree murder in Louisiana.
Michael T. Collins
Collins, 45, is the person of interest in the murder of Eugene Gurley, 72, and Patricia Gurley, 70, both died from blunt force trauma to the head from an incident on October 29.
The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office released details of the double murder of the elderly Denham Springs couple, prompting a Crimestoppers tips, Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack said.
He praised the community for getting the word out about the search for Collins and noted the tip through the Crime Stoppers program that helped authorities find him.
“I cannot say thank you enough to all the law enforcement from Louisiana to Kentucky, Crime Stoppers for the tip and a huge thank you to the community for spreading the word to get Collins arrested as soon as possible.
“Our prayers continue for the Gurley family and I ask you to keep them in yours as well,” Womack said.
A tip from the Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers led to information that Collins may be in Kentucky.
Collins is currently in a Kentucky jail awaiting extradition to Louisiana, where he will be booked on two counts of first-degree murder.
On Friday, results from tests performed by the Louisiana State Police crime lab linked Collins to the crime, Womack said, finding sufficient evidence key to Collins’ arrest warrant.
Collins has a lengthy criminal record, including arrests on assault and burglary in Tennessee, and an incident in Denham Springs where he pleaded no contest to domestic abuse battery in 2016.
