Mableton Couple Indicted in Grandfather's Death

A Cobb grand jury indicted Casey Ryan Collins and his girlfriend on murder, armed robbery and other charges in the May 2013 death of Collins' 78-year-old grandfather.

Collins, 30, and Sarah Elizabeth Cook, 23, both of Mableton, allegedly strangled Edward Smith of Lilburn with a belt and stabbed him while he was in his truck, according to the indictment, which was handed down Aug. 1.

Smith was reported missing May 5, and Cobb investigators later discovered that Collins and Cook had Smith's truck at 1 p.m. May 2, "about four hours after (the) reported last contact with Smith," records show.

Cook allegedly admitted that Smith was in the driveway of a residence at 365 Kemolay Rd. when she and Collins "assaulted" him in his truck on May 2, according to Cobb arrest warrants.

After the assault, Collins allegedly reached into Smith's pocket and took his wallet, which "contained U.S. Currency and a financial transaction card," according to the warrants.

That was not all the pair took.

"Collins and Cook also took Smith's truck," according to the warrants. "They drove around the metro-Atlanta area, with Smith's dead body concealed inside, for several hours before abandoning the truck where it was found by the police."

Collins and Cook have been in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center ever since their May 7 arrests.

They are charged with malice murder, felony murder, four counts of armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, and concealing the death of another. Several of the charges carry life sentences, said Kim Isaza, the spokeswoman for Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds.

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