Joshua Cade Richardson's Fatal Break-In: 14-Year-Old Kills Beloved Mother TerriLynne Collins in a Botched Robbery

In the early hours of October 3, 2017, in Concho, Arizona, an ordinary phone call quickly became a nightmare for Ernest Collins Jr.

As he spoke with his wife, TerriLynne Collins, he heard the horrifying sounds of a struggle, followed by a gunshot. 

What started as an ordinary day ended with the tragic murder of TerriLynne at the hands of a 14-year-old boy. 

TerriLynne Collins

TerriLynne Collins, a devoted mother and wife, was a beacon of kindness in her community. 

She and her husband, Ernest, had planned to permanently move to Concho for their retirement. 

Concho is a small town north of Phoenix and the couple already owned a property there.

The couple had six children, and some of them had planned to move with their parents to their retirement home.

While Ernest remained in Mesa so that one of their daughters could finish high school, TerriLynne moved with their other daughter and son to get their future home ready.

However, their dreams of a peaceful life in Concho were shattered on October 3, 2017, when a teenage boy, Joshua Cade Richardson, broke into their house.

The teenager's intention was to steal, but what followed was a tragic encounter that ended in murder.

Ernest and TerriLynne Collins

The Robbery Turned Murder

Joshua Cade Richardson, just 14 years old at the time, broke into the Collins' property with sinister intentions. 

Armed with a knife and a hockey stick, Richardson planned to steal a car parked on the property. 

The car actually belonged to a visitor who was staying on the property with TerriLynne's older daughter, Alexa.

Richardson first confronted Alexa and her visitor, using the weapons he had to threaten and intimidate them.

In a moment of desperation, Alexa managed to text her mother, TerriLynne, who was in another apartment on the property. 

After receiving her daughter's call for help, TerriLynne called her husband, Ernest, to update him on the situation.

While on the phone with Ernest, she hurried to the other part of the property where the confrontation was taking place.

Ernest, still on the phone, heard his wife confronting the intruder with a gun.

You can watch the chilling confrontation between TerriLynne and the 14-year-old in the video below. 

Source - Explore with Us

Despite her efforts to calm the situation down, Richardson managed to wrestle the gun away from TerriLynne.

After he was in possession of the gun he shot her in the head, killing her instantly.

After the tragic event, Richardson fled the scene.

However, he was later arrested by authorities in the nearby town of Pinetop-Lakeside. 

Joshua Cade Richardson during the robbery

His parents, who had reported him missing earlier, were called to the police station.

When they arrived, they confirmed that the perpetrator was, in fact, their missing son.

The investigation revealed Richardson's troubled past.

This includes a history of abuse and neglect, which might have played a role in his actions that night.

As the investigation continued, the police recovered evidence that was used to build a strong case against the culprit.

This includes the video above, recorded by Alexa's roommate, and statements from witnesses who were on the property that night.

Joshua Richardson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

Joshua Cade Richardson

The case against Richardson was complicated because of his age and his troubled upbringing.

Despite being just 14 at the time of the crime, he was charged as an adult due to the severity of the offense. 

During the trial, details of Richardson's horrific childhood were revealed. 

His childhood painted a picture of a boy who had been physically and emotionally traumatized by years of abuse.

Richardson's defense team argued for leniency, citing his traumatic past and mental impairments.

A forensic psychologist testified that Richardson's brain had been damaged, likely from exposure to toxic drugs.

They confirmed that this damage affected his decision-making abilities.

Despite these arguments, the prosecution and the Collins family pushed for a harsh sentence.

They believed that Richardson had shown no mercy to his victim and should not receive any in return.

In the end, Richardson was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with credit for the 1,203 days he had already served. 

The sentence, which many felt was too lenient, sparked outrage from the Collins family. 

They believe they did not receive justice for the death of their loved one.

Here is a longer video courtesy of Explore with Us, providing a more in-depth look at the case.

In another case, a woman has been sentenced to life in prison.

This sentence was handed down after she and her accomplice went on a killing spree that resulted in the deaths of four innocent women.

Read more on that case here.

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