CASE FILE: Two Moms Brutally M.u/r./de.r/ed. in D.e/@.dl.y Stalking Rampage
CASE FILE: THE JAMES TERRY COLLIE DOUBLE MURDER INVESTIGATION
Killer Cases: The Domestic Violence Rampage That Took Two Mothers’ Lives
Homicide Investigation & Trial Review Report
Narrative by Detective Brian Coldwel
St. Johns County Major Crimes Unit – Florida
PROLOGUE – THE DAY A FAMILY LOST TWO MOTHERS
In some homicide investigations, the warning signs only become clear after the tragedy has already happened.
A relationship that was falling apart.
A pattern of jealousy.
Threats that were dismissed.
Acts of control that slowly escalated.
On one morning in a quiet St. Johns County neighborhood, Florida, a domestic dispute became a deadly rampage that left two women dead and five children without their mothers.
James Terry Collie and Amanda Collie had once appeared to be a happy couple.
They had been married for eight years.
They had children.
They were active in their community.
James was known as a caring father who coached his children’s sports teams and spent time with his family.
Amanda was described by friends as outgoing, confident, and someone who brought energy into every room.
But behind that image, investigators later uncovered a relationship marked by jealousy, control, alcohol issues, and escalating conflict.
Amanda had separated from James.
She filed for divorce.
She obtained a temporary injunction seeking protection.
In court documents, she expressed fear that James could seriously harm her.
Despite those warnings, the conflict continued.
On the morning of the attack, James allegedly entered Amanda’s home armed with two guns.
He shot and killed Amanda and her best friend Lindy Dobbins.
The murders shocked the community.
But the case became about more than a violent crime.
It became a warning about domestic violence escalation and the devastating consequences when threats, intimidation, and controlling behavior are not taken seriously.
CHAPTER 1 – WHO WERE AMANDA AND JAMES COLLIE?
Before the murders, Amanda and James Collie appeared to be an ordinary family.
They lived in a planned community in St. Johns County.
Friends described Amanda as:
Outgoing
Confident
Kind
Social
Full of personality
People remembered her as someone who made friends easily.
She was described as someone who “lit up a room.”
James was also viewed positively by many people.
He worked in the banking and mortgage industry.
Friends described him as:
Friendly
Approachable
A devoted father
He coached his children’s sports teams.
He spent time with his kids.
To many people who knew the family, the idea that James could become responsible for such violence seemed impossible.
CHAPTER 2 – THE PROBLEMS BEHIND THE FAMILY IMAGE
As investigators looked deeper, they discovered that the marriage was not as peaceful as it appeared.
Friends began noticing changes.
They described James as becoming increasingly jealous.
Amanda was naturally social and outgoing.
Some friends believed James struggled with her independence and her friendships.
They also raised concerns about his drinking.
According to people close to the family, when James drank, his behavior could become difficult.
They described him as someone who had deeper personal struggles.
Eventually, Amanda reached a point where she believed separation was necessary.
CHAPTER 3 – THE DIVORCE AND THE PROTECTION ORDER
The separation became official in July.
Amanda filed for divorce.
She also requested a temporary injunction to keep James away from the home.
In court documents, Amanda expressed fear.
She wrote that James could seriously hurt her if he discovered she was seeing someone else.
The legal protection order became one of the most important pieces of the case.
Because investigators later argued that James had already shown warning signs before the murders.
CHAPTER 4 – THE JEALOUSY OVER ANOTHER MAN
During the separation, Amanda began seeing another man.
She kept the relationship private.
James, however, became suspicious.
According to investigators, he asked neighbors to watch Amanda’s home.
He wanted information about:
Who visited
Who was around
What was happening while he was away
One neighbor eventually sent James a photograph.
The image showed a shirtless man mowing Amanda’s lawn.
That man was Amanda’s new boyfriend, Lamar.
Investigators later said that image became a turning point.
James saw confirmation of what he feared.
His anger escalated.
CHAPTER 5 – THE HOUSE RANSACKING
After receiving the photograph, investigators say James drove to Amanda’s home.
Surveillance footage showed his vehicle arriving.
Amanda was not there.
According to investigators, James entered the home and damaged property.
He allegedly:
Destroyed televisions
Damaged furniture
Damaged walls
While inside, investigators say he discovered:
Men’s clothing
Personal items connected to Amanda’s new relationship
He also allegedly found intimate items that belonged to Amanda and her boyfriend.
The discovery appeared to intensify his anger.
CHAPTER 6 – THE PHONE CALLS BEFORE THE ATTACK
After leaving the home, James contacted Amanda.
According to the investigation, his messages became increasingly hostile.
He accused her of lying.
He insulted her.
He threatened to expose what he believed she had done.
Amanda did not respond.
The calls and messages later became important evidence showing his emotional state before the murders.
CHAPTER 7 – THE COURT APPEARANCE BEFORE THE MURDERS
One of the most significant details in the case was that James was in court on the same morning as the murders.
He was appearing because of an alleged violation of the protection order.
According to the investigation:
James had been drinking the night before
He had taken Ambien, a prescribed sleep medication
He appeared in court
The judge asked whether he was under the influence.
James said he was not.
The court allowed him to enter a plea arrangement involving anger management and probation rather than jail.
He left court.
Shortly afterward, the murders occurred.
CHAPTER 8 – THE ATTACK AT AMANDA’S HOME
After leaving court, investigators say James stopped at a gas station.
He bought beer.
He then traveled to Amanda’s home.
Inside the vehicle were two loaded firearms.
At the home were:
Amanda
Her boyfriend Lamar
Her friends Lindy Dobbins and Rachel Hendrick
The situation quickly became deadly.
CHAPTER 9 – THE 911 CALL THAT CAPTURED THE HORROR
The emergency calls became some of the most powerful evidence in the case.
Rachel Hendrick called 911 during the attack.
She reported that James had a handgun and was shooting.
She was terrified.
She described hiding.
She feared he would return and find her.
During the call, she reported that:
Amanda had been shot
Lindy had been shot
James was still inside
The recording captured the fear of witnesses who realized they were trapped inside a violent attack.
CHAPTER 10 – THE SHOOTING OF LINDY DOBBINS
According to Rachel’s testimony, James forced his way toward the area where the women were hiding.
Lindy Dobbins was inside.
Rachel testified that James entered and walked directly toward Lindy.
She heard Lindy react.
Then James shot her.
Lindy had been Amanda’s best friend.
Her death added another layer of tragedy.
Two mothers were killed.
Five children lost their mothers.
CHAPTER 11 – JAMES COLLIE FLEES
After the shooting, James left Florida.
Investigators said he contacted family members.
He reportedly told them he had shot two people.
He then gathered belongings and fled north.
Authorities quickly launched a search.
This was not treated as an unknown suspect investigation.
Investigators knew who they were looking for.
CHAPTER 12 – THE ARREST IN VIRGINIA
James was eventually located in Virginia.
Authorities said he was involved in a dangerous driving incident.
A woman reported that he attempted to force her vehicle off the road.
Police stopped him.
He was intoxicated.
He did not resist arrest.
When investigators attempted to interview him, James immediately requested an attorney.
CHAPTER 13 – THE MOTIVE QUESTION
The prosecution argued that the murders were the result of:
Jealousy
Anger
Resentment
Rejection
They argued James could not accept Amanda moving on.
The defense presented a different argument.
They claimed:
Alcohol
Ambien
Emotional instability
affected James’s state of mind.
The defense argued the murders were not planned.
They described the event as an emotional collapse.
CHAPTER 14 – THE TRIAL BEGINS
James Collie faced:
First-degree murder charges
Additional related charges
The prosecution pursued the death penalty.
The case focused heavily on:
Witness testimony
911 recordings
Surveillance footage
Prior threats
The protection order
CHAPTER 15 – THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
Rachel Hendrick became one of the most important witnesses.
She testified that she saw James with a handgun.
She described him entering the home.
She described the moment Lindy was shot.
Her testimony directly connected James to the killings.
Lamar Dobbins, Amanda’s boyfriend, also testified.
He described hearing gunfire and believing he was the target because of the photograph that had enraged James.
CHAPTER 16 – THE DEFENSE STRATEGY
The defense did not deny that James caused the deaths.
Instead, the strategy focused on reducing the severity of the crime.
They argued:
The killings were not premeditated
James was impaired
The situation escalated emotionally
The defense sought to avoid a death sentence.
CHAPTER 17 – THE JURY VERDICT
After hearing the evidence, the jury found James Collie guilty.
The verdict included:
First-degree premeditated murder
Felony murder
Additional charges
The conviction meant the next phase would determine punishment.
CHAPTER 18 – THE DEATH PENALTY PHASE
During sentencing, the defense presented arguments about James’s mental state.
They argued:
Ambien affected him
Alcohol played a role
He was impaired
The prosecution countered by showing evidence that suggested planning.
They pointed to:
The firearms
The timeline
His actions before and after the murders
CHAPTER 19 – THE FINAL SENTENCE
The jury unanimously recommended the death penalty.
The judge sentenced James Terry Collie to death for the murders of:
Amanda Collie
Lindy Dobbins
Families of the victims watched as justice was delivered.
But the sentence could not restore what was lost.
CHAPTER 20 – THE FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND
The greatest impact of the case was felt by the children.
Five children lost their mothers.
Their lives changed forever.
Friends created memorials.
A blue chair was placed at baseball games in memory of Lindy.
A park was dedicated to remember the victims.
The community continued carrying the loss.
FINAL NOTE – DETECTIVE BRIAN COLDWEL
The James Collie case is a devastating example of how domestic violence can escalate.
It did not begin with a single moment.
It developed through:
Jealousy
Control
Threats
Emotional instability
Escalating behavior
Amanda attempted to protect herself.
She sought legal protection.
She tried to move forward.
But the warning signs became reality.
The tragedy left behind two murdered women and five children who lost their mothers.
The most important lesson from this case is clear:
Domestic violence should never be minimized.
Threats are not just words.
Aggression is not just anger.
And warning signs must be taken seriously before they become irreversible.
CASE STATUS: CLOSED – CONVICTION OBTAINED
DEFENDANT: JAMES TERRY COLLIE
VICTIMS: AMANDA COLLIE / LINDY DOBBINS
SENTENCE: DEATH PENALTY
