Sheila Collins just months before her January 26, 1968 murder
If a heartless predator had not found her, Iowa Cold Case victim Sheila Jean Collins would’ve celebrated her 61st birthday today.
Those of us who care for her can only imagine where life would’ve taken Sheila — certainly somewhere far away from that lonely gravel road in Story County where her life ended when she was just 18.
Her devoted boyfriend planned to give her an engagement ring when the college semester was over, so marriage would’ve been certain. Children and grandchildren might have followed.
Sheila’s intellect would have taken her far, and she might now be considering retirement from a job where her talents would have made a significant contribution.
One thing is certain: her beautiful smile and friendly ways would have brightened many people’s lives, just as they did all her short life.
We can never know. We can only imagine. We can only ask, “What if . . . .”
Sheila Collins
If you have any information about the January 26, 1968 unsolved murder of Iowa State University freshman Sheila Jean Collins, please contact the Story County Sheriff’s Office at 515-382-6566.
A depiction of Fred Hollingsworth that hung in the VFW Post
In spite of lurid details, a midnight exhumation, and a reward offered by Iowa Governor Clyde L. Herring, the June 13, 1933 murder of 38-year-old Fred Milton Hollingsworth has been forgotten in the community.
However, during the summer of 1933, the town thought of little else.
Hollingsworth was ambushed late at night on the Lincoln Highway while returning to Ames from Nevada, Iowa, after a VFW meeting. His car was forced off the road and he was shot in the face with a double-barreled shotgun.
Hazel Hollingsworth
In his pocket was a diary naming the person who was responsible if he died: his next door neighbor, 31-year-old Cecil Olson, who was rumored to be on “overly-friendly” terms with Hollingsworth’s wife, Hazel.
Hollingsworth was buried in grand style with a long parade of VFW friends marching to the Ames City Cemetery, but he was unceremoniously and secretly dug up a few nights later to determine the bore of the gun that killed him.
Cecil Olson was arrested, but a grand jury — after testimony that included the display of a pair of women’s “bloomers” — failed to indict him and the charges were dropped. No one else was sought for the murder.
The parties involved moved out of the community and the incident faded from memory. The house Fred Hollingsworth lived in is gone. The service station he owned was replaced by a convenience store. All that’s left to remind Ames of the murder is his tombstone in the Ames Cemetery.
Fred Hollingsworth's grave, Ames City Cemetery
If you have information on the unsolved murder of Fred Hollingsworth, contact the Story County Sheriff’s Office.
I’m pleased to introduce Dr. Nancy Bowers, who joins the Iowa Cold Cases administrative team with an impressive background in writing and teaching, records research and criminal justice work. Nancy will help co-admins Jody and Rebecca with case summaries for the website, case updates to the blog and our Facebook group, and follow-up communications with law enforcement agencies, victims’ family members and other individuals involved with the respective cases.
Nancy received her Doctorate in English and Film Studies from Drake University. She earned an M.A. in 19th Century British Literature and an A.B. degree in English and History at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She is the author of four published books: John Schlesinger: A Guide to References and Resources; The Hollywood Novel: 1912-1982; A Life in Time: Brown Munro, Sr. (1829-1909), and Lives to Share.
She has been a university teacher, editor, and Administrative Assistant in the Iowa General Assembly. She spent two years working in the Records Division of the Ames Police Department, where she currently volunteers, and two years assisting at the Adult Probation Office in Ames.
She is currently researching the January 1968 unsolved murder of Iowa State University student Sheila Jean Collins.
Nancy lives in Ames, Iowa, with her husband Neal and their six special needs cats.
Please join me in welcoming Nancy to the Iowa Cold Cases team!
Rebecca Russell
Iowa Cold Cases is pleased to introduce our first intern, Rebecca Russell.
Rebecca earned her Criminal Justice diploma at Iowa Central Community College and currently attends Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny as well as Grand View University in Des Moines, where she plans to major in Criminology. Following graduation, her goal is to work as a private cold case investigator in the Des Moines area.
Rebecca will help with research and case summaries, e-mail inquiries, updates to the ICC blog and our Facebook group, and in other areas as needed.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Rebecca’s family relocated to Ames, Iowa, before Rebecca celebrated her first birthday. She says she first became interested in cold case work after enrolling in the course ‘Scientific Investigation,’ an elective she took at DMACC. Professor Nickolas Brown, who taught the course, brought his own real-life investigating experience to the class and incorporated forensic science, which then inspired Rebecca to pursue her education in criminal justice.
“Justice for the families and friends of the victims is what motivated me to pursue cold case work as a career,” Rebecca says. “No one should ever have to give up on finding out what happened to their loved one.”
In addition to her criminal justice studies, Rebecca’s hobbies include traveling, movies, swimming and photography. She currently resides in Ames with her significant other, Jace, and their 6-month old son, Gabriel.
Please join me in welcoming Rebecca to the Iowa Cold Cases family!
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