Collings raped and murdered 9-year-old Rowan Ford in 2007.
December 4, 2024, published at 6:43 PM ET
A Missouri death row inmate used his final words to issue a stunning apology before being executed for raping and murdering a 9-year-old girl.
RadarOnline.com can reveal that Christopher Collings, 49, shared his chilling final message before he was put to death on Tuesday evening.
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Christopher Collings, 49, shared his final message before he was put to death.
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In his final moments, Collings said, “Right or wrong, I accept this situation for what it is. I’m sorry to everyone I’ve hurt in this life. I hope you can find closure and move on. I hope until see you in heaven one day.”
Before he was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., he had his last meal: a bacon cheeseburger, breaded mushrooms, tater tots and a salad.
Colling’s last visitor was spiritual advisor Rev. Kristen Leslie.
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Collings lived with the young girl and her family for months.
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Collings’ attorney, Jeremy Weis, said in a statement: “We share Chris’s wishes that his death will provide some closure for the victim’s family and that those injured by him will be able to to continue.
“However, what happened today was an act of revenge, but it will not define Chris nor will it be the way we remember him.”
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On November 3, 2007, Collings raped and murdered 9-year-old Rowan Ford after living with her family for several months.
According to previous reports, Ford even considered him an uncle.
Collings admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana heavily before taking Ford to a camper where he brutally attacked her.
He strangled the young girl to death as he claimed he “freaked out” when she saw his face.
Collings then burned the rope, the clothes he was wearing and the bloody mattress.
He then admitted to placing Ford in a sinkhole and her body was found days later on November 9.
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Collings subsequently admitted to placing Ford in a sinkhole and her body was found days later on November 9.
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Ford’s stepfather, David Spears, smoked and drank with Collings before the brutal crimes.
After the 9-year-old’s body was discovered, Collings, Spears and a third man were the focus of the investigation as they were the last people to see her.
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According to court documents, Spears claimed to have been involved in Ford’s murder, which Collings ultimately denied.
Spears claimed in the transcripts, “I’m choking her with it. I realize she’s gone. She’s… she’s really gone.”
It was also claimed that Spears was the one who led police to Ford’s body.
Spears pleaded to lesser charges and served seven years in prison. He was released in 2015.
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On Monday, the Supreme Court and Missouri Governor Mike Parson denied Colling’s clemency.
The Supreme Court and Missouri Governor Mike Parson denied Collings’ clemency on Monday.
Collings was executed at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Missouri.
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