MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The suspect in a Moorhead murder investigation has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder with Intent-Not Premeditated.

Court documents allege 25-year-old James Kollie Jr. murdered his mother, 56 year-old Receia Kollie on Dec. 1, 2022.

According to The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, Receia’s cause of death was “multiple sharp force injuries.” Police say she also had a defensive wound on her hand.

Officers for Moorhead Police say the 911 caller said someone killed his mother in-law and she was laying in blood. The caller believed Kollie was the killer.

Officers found the deceased body in the foyer of a home at 3819 32nd Street South. They also found an elderly, bedridden woman inside the home. Court documents say there was no sign of forced entry.

Law enforcement and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Team got a search warrant and searched the residence. During the search, they found a receipt for M&H in Moorhead. The receipt was crumpled on Kollie’s desk in his room. Court documents say it was from November 30. After watching surveillance video, investigators saw Kollie buying a facemask and gloves. It was noted he was wearing the clothes he was arrested in days earlier.

Investigators learned Kollie had been arrested by Moorhead Police on November 27, 2022 for Domestic Assault – Fear against the Victim. Court documents say during the incident, Kollie had threatened his mother by telling her, “I’m ready to take your life.” Kollie also threatened to put his hands on her. A witness recorded parts of it and played it for officers. Officers spoke with the victim who told officers Kollie had her locked inside of a bathroom saying he “will stay here for hours”. The victim reported Kollie threatened to kill her, and she was afraid. The victim told police she believed Kollie could kill someone if he wanted to.

The 25-year-old was released from the Clay County Correctional Facility on November 29, 2022. The conditions included a protection order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Previously

Wahpeton, ND (KFGO) – The man suspected of killing a Moorhead woman was arrested Friday Dec 2.

Moorhead Police said in a release that 25-year-old James Kollie Jr., of Moorhead, was taken into custody around 7:30 p.m. and is being held in the Richland County Jail in Wahpeton.

Kollie became a suspect after officers were called to the woman’s home on the 3800 block of 32nd Street S. around 11 p.m. Thursday night where family members had found her dead. The officers observed traumatic injuries on the woman’s body, but found no sign of a break-in.

Formal charges against Kollie are pending and he is expected to be extradited to the Clay County Jail in Moorhead. 

The woman’s identity has not been publicly released. Her body has been sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Police are still looking for the victim’s vehicle, a black 2016 Honda Pilot with license plate MN HFE185. Anyone who finds the vehicle, or knows where it is should contact Red River Regional Dispatch at 701-451-7660.

Moorhead Police were assisted by Wahpeton Police, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, SEMCA Drug Task Force, North Dakota Bureau of Investigation, and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Previously

Moorhead, MN (KFGO) – Moorhead Police have released the name of a suspect in a murder at a home in that city.

Authorities say 25 year-old James Kollie may be driving the victim’s black 2016 Honda Pilot with Minnesota license plates HFE 185. Officers went to the home late Thursday night after concerned family members found the woman’s body. She had suffered traumatic injuries. There was no sign of a break-in at the home.

The vehicle was spotted north of Halstad, Minnesota at about 8 am on Friday morning. Norman County deputies were unable to locate the vehicle.

Anyone with information on Kollie, or the vehicle should call 911. Kollie should not be approached.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation.