A Lakeland, Florida woman has been charged with the first-degree murder of her longtime truck driver boyfriend who had recently received an inheritance.
Sheriff Says Accused Woman Read Lots of “Murder Mystery Novels”
“She’s read a lot of murder mystery novels,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd of 58-year-old Victoria Collins’s alleged elaborate scheme to kill 65-year-old truck driver Gary Greenfield.
Driver Recently Received Inheritance
Police say that Collins, who is married to another man, had known Greenfield since she was 16 years old. They had been lovers for years. The couple broke up in May, which was the same month that Greenfield learned that he had inherited $30,000. Greenfield turned in his truck on May 29 with the intent of retiring from driving, according to his former employer. On June 1, he opened a joint checking account with Collins.
Trucker’s Body Found Under Tarp
The investigation began in July when Greenfield’s body was discovered under a tarp behind a Lakeland mobile home that he was renting in secret from Collins. Police believe that Greenfield had been dead for three to four weeks by the time his body was discovered.
Collins told police Greenfield was still working as a truck driver and had traveled to California. She claimed to have not seen him for three or four weeks.
Accused Woman Contacted Reporters With Fake Story To Throw Off Investigation
Police say that she also contacted a reporter with a bogus story about a woman named Tamika to try to throw detectives off. However, she shared information about the case with the reporter that only the killer could have known, like the fact that Greenfield had been found without shoes.
Based on phone records, police believe that Greenfield was killed around June 16.
Ambien Found in Truck Driver’s Bloodstream
Toxicology reports showed large amounts of Ambien in Greenfield’s bloodstream — enough to incapacitate him completely. Greenfield’s cause of death has still not been determined.
Along with first-degree murder, Collins is facing charges of tampering with evidence. She is currently being held without bail.
Sources:
ABC Action News
Bay News 9
Fox 13 News
WTSP News