On June 18, a Burke County jury convicted Quame L. Collins on two counts of murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and using a gun in the commission of a crime.
Judge Daniel Craig sentenced Collins, 30, of Augusta, to life in prison without parole. However, Burke County Sheriff Alfonso Williams says Collins is linked to more murders, and he wants the truth to come to light.
“He is not just a bad guy, He’s scary. I firmly believe he is a serial killer,” Williams said.
The June conviction was in connection with the 2017 execution-style murders of Louis Grubbs, 64, and Marshall Jordan Jr., 65. The two were playing dominoes with another man when Collins calmly told each man he was about to die before shooting all three.
MORE: Murders Unsolved in Augusta: Brandon Grubbs, Part I
A fourth possible victim was able to flee the home unscathed and testified against Collins.
Just a month prior to his death, Grubbs had contacted the family of another murder victim, Brandon Grubbs, no relation, and told them that he could place Collins and another man, Christopher Scott, at the murder scene.
Brandon Grubbs, 21, a Hephzibah resident, was killed in the same manner as Louis Grubbs would be just a month later. Louis Grubbs told Brandon Grubbs’ mother, Cathy Williams, that he was in the car with Collins and Scott, and that they went to Brandon Grubbs’ home to conduct a marijuana deal.
Louis Grubbs told Williams that when they pulled up to the house, he had no idea that murder was on anyone’s mind.
Cathy Williams, no relation to Sheriff Williams, said that she immediately called investigators at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and reported what Grubbs told her. According to her, the investigators didn’t seem interested and never contacted the man to get his account.
A month later, investigators lost any ability to talk to Louis Grubbs when Collins killed him.
“They don’t care,” Williams said. “That’s just how I feel. At this point, the case has been passed through at least 10 different investigators, and they all tell me the same thing: that the case has gone cold,” Williams said.
However, the case has not grown cold as the other man fingered by Grubbs, Christopher Scott, currently is in the Webster Detention Center on Phinizy Road on unrelated charges.
According to Cathy Williams, Scott has bragged to others about being at the scene, but investigators have yet to follow up.
Another source, who must remain confidential for safety, says that Collins bragged about another double homicide, the 2010 murders of Jeramie Hammonds, 20, and Kayla Wells, 19.
MORE: Murders Unsolved in Augusta: Jeramie Hammonds and Kayla Wells
Hammonds and Wells were found in a wooded area of Hephzibah, shot in the same execution style manner as both Grubbs men.
The confidential source provided information that only the killer and police know currently. Investigators at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office have asked that the information provided by the source not be printed but confirm the information is correct, down to the caliber of bullets.
The source claims Collins said robbery was the motive for the slayings, as he believed that Wells had come into a large inheritance from her recently-deceased parents. The source says that Hammonds was affiliated with Collins through the Crips gang, and that was how Collins learned about Wells’ inheritance. According to the source, Collins was disappointed to find out Wells had received no such windfall, and he killed her and Hammonds anyway.
According to Sheriff Williams, Collins is also suspected in the 2016 disappearance of Burke County resident Simon Powell, 63, who is believed to be a victim of homicide. Shortly after the disappearance, Powell’s burned-out truck was found, but his body has never been discovered.
According to the confidential source, Scott invited Powell to “The Hole,” a popular gathering spot for Crips gang members where Collins later killed him.
Powell was a well-known Waynesboro resident, the owner of a lumber business and was not associated with any gang or gang activity. A $20,000 reward is offered for information that might lead to the discovery of Powell’s body.
“At this point, I am committed to continuing to search for Mr. Powell’s body so that the family can get at least some closure,” Williams said.
Williams said he knows people are terrified of Collins, but he hopes that people will come forward now that Collins is in prison for life.
“People are scared to death of him. They’re probably still scared because (Collins) is just as dangerous in prison as he is on the outside. But we have got to get justice for these victims,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, the confidential source has moved far away, but still does not feel safe.
“I know what (Collins) is capable of, so I basically went into hiding,” the person said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com. Anna Porzio is a researcher and editorial assistant. Reach her at anna@theaugustapress.com.
