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Criminal prosecution on most charges was impossible due to expired statutes of limitations, but civil settlement could be arranged in exchange for information. On February 5th, 2015, Collins arrived with his attorney. The prosecutor explained that while criminal prosecution was barred by time, the family could file civil suit. If Collins provided testimony and helped locate bodies, the prosecutor would recommend settlement instead of litigation.
Collins agreed and gave sworn testimony kept confidential until investigation concluded. Collins agreed to show where remains were located. Johnson verified information. He found Leon Walker and Collins Trucking Employee Records, a driver from 1983 to 1988. Walker died in 2003 from cirrhosis in Mon. He had multiple drunk driving arrests and serious alcohol problems.
Johnson located Walker’s sister Gloria in Mon. She explained her brother was an alcoholic whose drinking worsened in the mid-80s. In spring 1985, Leon came to her crying, saying he did something awful. Gloria thought he was drunk. She recalled him saying something about not seeing them, about sun in his eyes.
Johnson obtained Walker’s medical records showing 1990 treatment for depression. The psychologist noted the patient suffered guilt from a traumatic past event, but refused details and showed suicidal thoughts. Johnson checked work logs. On March 13th, Walker was assigned a delivery route from 5 to 6:30 through an industrial zone near Augusta. On March 15th, 2015, exactly 30 years after the sisters disappeared, Collins accompanied detectives to McDuffy County, 30 miles from Augusta.
Collins led them into woods where an old abandoned mineshaft stood, entrance partially blocked with rocks. Collins pointed and said they were there. Rescue services and mine specialists were called. On March 18th, a team descended into the shaft. At 40 meters depth in a side tunnel, they discovered human remains. Two skeletons lay together.
Remains were extracted and sent for examination. On April 2nd, DNA results confirmed the remains belonged to Kendra and Kiara Thompson. Forensic examination determined both died from massive blunt force trauma. Bones showed multiple fractures of skull, ribs, pelvis, femurs, and limbs. The medical examiner’s preliminary conclusion stated injuries were consistent with being struck by a large vehicle.
Death resulted from multiple internal organ damage and traumatic brain injury. Detective Johnson felt relief. The picture seemed clear—a tragic hit and run concealed out of fear. Based on collected data, including Collins’s testimony, information about Walker, work logs, witness accounts, and medical records, investigators prepared event reconstruction. But on April 9th, one week later, the medical examiner sent Johnson an additional letter.
During detailed examination of victim 2, Kiara Thompson, a fracture of the hyoid bone was discovered. Johnson read the message, froze, then read again. Fractured hyoid bone. He knew what that meant. He immediately called the examiner asking what it meant.
The examiner responded cautiously. A fractured hyoid can occur with manual strangulation. However, this case involved multiple skull and cervical spine fractures from massive trauma. Determining whether this fracture resulted from strangulation or as part of overall injury from being struck was impossible. Johnson asked if strangulation could be ruled out. The examiner replied it could not be ruled out but neither confirmed.
After 30 years, given remains condition and multiple injuries, reaching definitive conclusion was impossible. Johnson hung up and sat in silence. Then he called the prosecutor. On April 10th, Johnson and the prosecutor called Collins for another interview. Collins arrived with his attorney.
Johnson placed the report on the table and read aloud about the fractured hyoid and possibility of strangulation. Collins went pale. His attorney intervened, stating his client had provided full testimony. Johnson said Collins told them about the hit and run, but not everything. Collins remained silent.
The prosecutor stated, “If one girl was alive after being hit and someone strangled her, this was murder, not concealment.” Collins’s attorney responded, “The examiner could not establish fracture cause.” This was not proof. His client was not obligated to answer hypothetical questions. Johnson asked directly if one was alive when Collins arrived.
Collins sat silent, hands trembling. The attorney stated his client declined to answer. The prosecutor said even if true, they could not prove murder beyond reasonable doubt. The examiner provided no definitive conclusion, but they wanted Collins to know they knew. Collins lowered his head. After Collins left, the prosecutor and detective remained.
The prosecutor stated they could not imprison him. Even with confession, the expert would not give definitive testimony, creating reasonable doubt. Johnson nodded. The prosecutor said they could tell the family the complete truth. Based on evidence, investigators reconstructed March 13th, 1985.