In the quiet town of Auburn, New Hampshire, the day after Christmas in 2001 brought a grim discovery that would shatter the community's sense of peace. George Jodoin, a 50-year-old White male, was found dead in his bed on December 27th. A friend had stopped by Jodoin's farmhouse to learn how to care for his animals, as Jodoin was planning a trip to Thailand.
Instead of receiving instructions, the friend stumbled upon a gruesome scene: Jodoin had been shot three times in the head and neck while he slept. The discovery launched a homicide investigation that would perplex authorities for years.
The initial investigation into Jodoin's murder left detectives with a disheveled home but no signs of forced entry, suggesting the killer was known to the victim. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots the night before, around 11 p.m., and seeing a white pickup truck speeding away from the property. Investigators interviewed a number of Jodoin's friends, family members, and business associates. Early suspicion fell on several individuals, including Glenn Baroody, Jodoin's close friend and business partner who had discovered the body. Adding to the intrigue, Jodoin had changed his will just three weeks prior to his death, leaving his house, land, a pawn shop, and a sailboat to Baroody. Also on the list of potential suspects were Jodoin's friend Ricky Caron and his own brother, Pete Jodoin. Despite these early leads and a substantial reward offered by the Jodoin family, the case eventually went cold due to a lack of evidence and dwindling leads.
For nearly a decade, the case remained unsolved, a lingering mystery in the small New Hampshire town. In 2009, the establishment of New Hampshire's first-ever Cold Case Unit offered a new glimmer of hope. By 2011, investigators had reopened Jodoin's case, taking a fresh look at the evidence and re-interviewing those involved. This renewed focus led them to Arthur Collins, a handyman who had done work for Jodoin and was at his home on the night of the murder. Under renewed questioning, Collins' alibi began to crumble. His wife, who had previously supported his alibi, admitted that he had come home much later on the night of the murder than he had claimed.
In May 2012, more than ten years after the crime, Arthur Collins was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He eventually confessed to killing George Jodoin. Collins claimed that he and Jodoin had been drinking heavily and that Jodoin had made a sexual advance toward him, causing him to become enraged. After shooting Jodoin, he placed the body in the bed. In 2015, Collins pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, finally bringing a long-awaited resolution to the tragic and violent death of George Jodoin.
