Moenisha Yvette Collins, a 27-year-old Black woman from New Britain, Connecticut, was tragically killed on December 1, 2023. Known to her loved ones as "Momo," she was described as a loving mother, a cherished daughter, a supportive sister, and a dear friend who was unapologetically herself. She was a mother to a 10-year-old daughter, Makayla, who was the center of her world.
Friends and family remembered her for her deep, intimate conversations about life and for always pushing others to be the best version of themselves. At the time of her death, Moenisha was pregnant.
The events of December 1, 2023, unfolded tragically when Moenisha's 10-year-old daughter returned home from school to find her mother unresponsive in their Fairview Street apartment. The young girl immediately sought help from relatives, who then flagged down a police officer. Upon their arrival, authorities pronounced Moenisha dead at the scene. An autopsy later confirmed that she had died from multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.
The investigation into Moenisha's death quickly led authorities to identify a suspect: 46-year-old Vincent Blair of Hartford. Blair had been in a relationship with Moenisha for about a year. After the shooting, Blair fled to Bensalem, Pennsylvania, where he was located at a motel. A SWAT team apprehended him on December 2 when he stepped outside his room.
Vincent Blair waived extradition and was transported back to Connecticut to face charges. He was charged with murder and criminal use of a firearm. During questioning, Blair confessed to killing Moenisha Collins. He was held on a $5 million bond and was scheduled for arraignment in court. The family of Moenisha Collins expressed their profound grief and called for justice, hoping that Blair would be charged for the death of her unborn child as well.
