Sheila Collins

Sheila Jean Collins was 18.  She was full of life, friendly, and fun-loving.  Her smile and green eyes dazzled, her long brown hair swung thick and beautiful.  Her contagious laughter rang through the halls of her Iowa State dorm.  She was smart and an excellent seamstress.  She was tolerant and generous and kind.  She lived an exemplary life and harmed no one.  She was loved by her parents and sisters and a boy who was planning to give her an engagement ring.  Her complete innocence and her trusting nature led her to accept a ride with a stranger.

She was murdered 42 years ago today, on January 26, 1968.

Tonight, once again, a small group of us still seeking answers will retrace her journey from the ISU campus to the spot where her body was found in rural Story County.  It will be a somber and humbling moment in which we remember Sheila’s life and honor her memory.  The lack of resolution will be frustrating and saddening.

Someone knows what happened to Sheila Collins.  Someone can provide the answers to the mystery of this beautiful life ended too soon.  If you have any information, please come forward.  It is never too late.   Nancy Bowers