On the night of October 22, 2024, at approximately 11 p.m., deputies from the Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported shooting at a residence on the 4200 block of River Run Drive in Sanford, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 76-year-old Joan Collins deceased from a gunshot wound.
At the scene, authorities detained 66-year-old Randall Lee Stark, who was identified as Collins' long-term live-in partner.
Following an initial investigation, Stark was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Collins' death. He was subsequently booked into the Lee County Jail without bond.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office has indicated that the investigation is ongoing. As of now, no additional suspects have been identified, and no further arrests have been made. Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive for the shooting, and details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident remain limited.
Joan Collins' passing has been noted in local obituaries, acknowledging her life and the tragic circumstances of her death. The community remains in shock as they await further information from law enforcement regarding this case.
