In the early hours of a December morning in 2018, the lives of a Georgia family were irrevocably shattered. Michael Varnell Wigfall, Jr., a 33-year-old male, and his cousin, Robert Collier, 36, were found shot to death inside a Decatur, Georgia, home. The two men, who were described as being very close, were discovered by police at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Monday, December 10th, each having sustained gunshot wounds to the head.
The nature of their injuries led family members to believe they were killed 'execution-style.'
Upon their arrival at the residence on Old Lake Drive, law enforcement officers found a grim scene. The front door of the house showed signs of forced entry, suggesting a violent confrontation. One of the victims was located near the front door, while the other was found by a sliding glass door in another part of the home. A neighbor later recounted to police that they had noticed the door to the house was open and witnessed a red SUV arrive at the home. According to the neighbor, an individual went inside, came out very quickly, and then the vehicle drove away. It was after this that the neighbor saw a foot in the doorway and called for help. Another neighbor reported hearing gunshots. Relatives of the victims also noted that there were indications of a struggle inside the house.
The brutal deaths of Wigfall and Collier sent shockwaves through their tight-knit family. Family members described both men as loving and compassionate individuals who were devoted to their children. Together, the two cousins left behind six young children. Wigfall, who was known to his loved ones as 'Ice Mike' and 'Wiggy,' had recently relocated to the Decatur area from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was looking forward to celebrating his 34th birthday just days after he was killed. He was remembered as a man who was always smiling and laughing, and who would do anything for anybody.
The investigation into the double homicide progressed, and in February 2019, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office announced a significant development in the case. A suspect, identified as 26-year-old Russell McNeal, was arrested in connection with the murders. McNeal was taken into custody without incident at an apartment complex in Lithonia and was subsequently charged with felony murder for the deaths of Michael Wigfall and Robert Collier. He was then booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
