Vanished in the Night: The Unsolved Disappearance of Randall Collins and a Father's Unyielding Quest for Answers

A Night Out Turns Into a Nightmare

On the evening of April 5, 2014, 24-year-old Randall William Collins stepped into the vibrant nightlife of Richmond, Virginia. He was last seen leaving the Canal Club in Shockoe Bottom, a popular entertainment district. Witnesses reported seeing him either walking toward the Church Hill area or entering a vehicle with two unidentified African-American males. Despite these accounts, Collins vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a family desperate for closure.

The Immediate Aftermath and Search Efforts

In the days following his disappearance, search efforts intensified. Bloodhounds traced Collins's scent from the Canal Club to the edge of the Kanawha Canal near 21st and Dock Streets, an area beneath Interstate 95. Investigators drained the canal but found no evidence related to his disappearance. A month later, a jogger discovered a body in the canal; however, it was determined not to be Collins.

Personal Struggles and Concerns

Collins suffered from seizures requiring medication, and alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of an episode. His family feared that he might have experienced a seizure that night, leading to disorientation or vulnerability. This concern was compounded by reports of him possibly entering a vehicle with unknown individuals.

A Father's Unwavering Determination

Rannie Williams, Collins's father, has been relentless in his pursuit of answers. He reached out to CBS 6 Crime Insider Jon Burkett and the Reopen the Case Foundation to shed light on his son's disappearance. Williams believes that something bad happened to his son, especially since Collins missed significant family events, including his mother and grandmother's funerals—occasions he would never have skipped. The emotional toll has been immense, with Williams expressing the pain of not knowing as "draining" and taking "everything from your soul." ...Read More

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