Flint Teen's 1983 Murder Case Solved After 43 Years

Advanced DNA technology identifies Roni Collins as the killer, bringing closure to Sheri Jo Elliott's family.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:37am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the violent crime and the investigative process to uncover the truth.A single bullet casing found at the crime scene becomes a key piece of evidence in the decades-long investigation into Sheri Jo Elliott's murder.Grand Blanc Today

For nearly 43 years, the family of 16-year-old Sheri Jo Elliott lived with unanswered questions about who killed her in November 1983. Now, Michigan State Police say advanced DNA technology has identified 75-year-old Roni Collins, who died by suicide in January, as the man responsible for Elliott's murder.

Why it matters

The Elliott case highlights the importance of persistent investigations and the power of modern forensic science to solve even decades-old crimes. It also underscores the anguish families face when a loved one's killer remains unknown, and the relief that can come with finally getting answers.

The details

Elliott left her Flint home around 6:30 a.m. on November 16, 1983 to walk to her bus stop, but never made it home. Four days later, her body was found in a Saginaw County ditch, where she had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times. The case went cold for over four decades until Michigan State Police reopened the investigation in 2023 and reexamined evidence with the help of the Western Michigan University Cold Case Program.

  • On November 16, 1983, Sheri Jo Elliott walked to her bus stop and disappeared.
  • Four days later, Elliott's body was found in a Saginaw County ditch.
  • In 2023, Michigan State Police reopened the cold case investigation.
  • In January 2026, the 75-year-old suspect, Roni Collins, died by suicide.
  • In April 2026, police announced they had solved the 43-year-old murder case.

The players

Sheri Jo Elliott

A 16-year-old Flint resident who was murdered in 1983 on her way to school.

Roni Collins

A 75-year-old Grand Blanc resident who police say killed Elliott and died by suicide in January 2026.

Judy Sika

Elliott's aunt, who said the years without answers were agonizing.

Joyce Elliott

Elliott's mother, who called her sister Judy to say the case had been solved.

Western Michigan University Cold Case Program

A program that partnered with state police detectives to reexamine evidence and help solve the Elliott case.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my goodness, you have no idea. It has been hell.”

— Judy Sika, Elliott's aunt

“I see her all the time in my head. You know, I can see her walking in the door and giving me a hug and saying, Hi Aunt Judy.”

— Judy Sika, Elliott's aunt

“I couldn't believe it. It was like you gotta be kidding me. They actually found something the person that killed her.”

— Judy Sika, Elliott's aunt

“I was like similar age to Sheri. And so it just, it kind of hit home and I really wanted to be a part of it. So it meant a lot that I was able to be able to help out with it.”

— Ella Bilkey, Western Michigan University student

“I think it was just really a very meaningful thing to be able to come into this case, investigate it and just bring closure for the family.”

— Christian Wang, Western Michigan University student

What’s next

The Western Michigan University Cold Case Program will continue to partner with law enforcement across Michigan to investigate other unsolved crimes.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of persistent investigations and the power of modern forensic science to solve even decades-old crimes. It also underscores the anguish families face when a loved one's killer remains unknown, and the relief that can come with finally getting answers.