‘One Last Time’: Dad Killed 12-Year-Old Daughter After Ominous Text to Child’s Mother

A Kentucky man who fatally shot his 12-year-old daughter after sending a disturbing message to her mother has been sentenced to life in prison. Stacy Collins, 50, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to the kidnapping and murder of his daughter, Stacia Collins. Her body was found in August 2022, several miles from where she was last seen. Collins initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. On April 16, a judge handed down two concurrent life sentences. Under the terms of his plea deal, Collins will be eligible for parole after 25 years.

A Chilling Message Before the Murder

On the morning of August 16, 2022, Stacia’s mother, Summer Mullins, received a text from Stacy Collins that would haunt her forever. The message read, “Do you want to talk to your daughter one last time?” When Mullins tried to follow up for clarification, she received no further replies. Stacia, who had not shown up for school that day, was later found dead from a gunshot wound. Her father was discovered shortly after, alive but suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe he attempted suicide following the murder.

Courtroom Confrontation and Sentencing

During Collins’ sentencing hearing, Summer Mullins addressed her daughter’s killer directly. According to reports from WSAZ, she told him, “I hope you go to the worst place in Hell for all eternity.” Mullins’ grief and rage reflected the emotional toll the tragedy had taken on her and the broader community. Collins was officially charged with murder and kidnapping after recovering from his injuries. He was booked into the Big Sandy Detention Center, where he has remained in custody. With sentencing now complete, he is expected to be transferred to a state penitentiary to serve out his life term.

A Community Left Reeling

The murder of Stacia Collins stunned the eastern Kentucky community. Described by those who knew her as a kind and bright young girl, her death sparked sorrow and outrage. The plea deal avoided a lengthy trial, but the emotional scars left behind are far from healed. Stacy Collins’ decision to end his daughter’s life—allegedly as part of a domestic dispute or emotional manipulation—has underscored ongoing concerns about family violence and the need for better mental health and intervention services. The judge’s sentence ensures that Collins will spend at least 25 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole. However, for Stacia’s loved ones, no amount of prison time will undo the loss of a child whose life ended far too soon.