Colleen Potts, a 73-year-old Caucasian woman, was found dead on October 24, 2021, in a home on South 13th Street in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Potts, a well-known pet sitter in the community, was discovered lying face down on the couch in the living room. She was house-sitting for the homeowner at the time of her death. The Fernandina Beach Police Department responded to a wellbeing check after a neighbor noticed the door of the house was open and dogs were running around.
Upon arrival, police found the garage door and the inner door to the home open, leading them to discover Potts' body inside.
The investigation into Colleen Potts' death revealed that she had been shot. The police treated the incident as a homicide and believed it to be an isolated case, with no immediate threat to the community. Authorities urged residents to take basic safety precautions, such as locking doors and using outside security lights and cameras.
In December 2021, Shawn Lamont Whigham, a 47-year-old man who had previously done handyman work at the residence where Potts was found, was arrested in connection to her death. Whigham was initially charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with additional charges of homicide and burglary expected to follow. Through forensic evidence and questioning, detectives were able to narrow in on Whigham, who provided information that did not align with the timeline of events.
In January 2023, Whigham was convicted of the murder of Colleen Potts. He pleaded no contest to three charges, including second-degree murder, armed burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As part of a plea deal, Whigham was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison. The plea deal was likely struck due to the lack of physical evidence directly linking Whigham to the crime, making it easier to secure a conviction for second-degree murder rather than first-degree murder. Despite the conviction, some, including Whigham's brother, believed that the wrong person was being punished.
The death of Colleen Potts left a significant impact on her community, with friends and neighbors mourning the loss of a kind and helpful individual who was always willing to assist others. The Fernandina Beach Police Department expressed hope that the conviction would provide some sense of closure to Potts' family, although the anguish of her loss would remain.
