$1.6M proposal might fund memorial for Texas household murdered by escaped inmate

TOMBALL, Texas — Monday marks three years since a case that shocked the nation. An escaped convict murdered 5 members of the Collins household from Tomball.

On June 2, 2022, 66-year-old Mark Collins and his 4 grandchildren — 18-year-old Waylon, 16-year-old Hudson, 11-year-old Carson, and 11-year-old Bryce — had been murdered by escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez, who had been hiding at their Centerville ranch. 

Simply weeks in the past, the household sat down completely with KHOU 11’s Anayeli Ruiz to share not solely their ache however their goal.

Out of heartbreak, one younger man, Maddox Feldott, is combating to assist their legacy dwell on. That younger man as soon as performed baseball with the oldest grandchild, Waylon. Their bond was robust, and so was the affect of his buddy’s loss of life. 

With no political expertise however a coronary heart filled with goal, Feldott lobbied lawmakers for a everlasting Collins household memorial. He traveled to the Texas Capitol to push for state assist. Now, there is a glimmer of hope.

“We acquired the finances handed and accredited by the Home and the Senate,” Feldott stated.

Buried within the state’s large finances doc on web page 83 is a line meaning all the things to 1 grieving household: $1.6 million allotted to honor the Collins household’s legacy.

“How does it really feel?” Ruiz requested.

“Superior,” Feldott stated. “It is thrilling. I am unable to wait to see what is going on to return from it. I am unable to look forward to individuals to take pleasure in it.”

Feldott would not but know what the memorial will seem like, however he is aware of what it ought to really feel like. 

“I hope it brings pleasure,” he stated. “Waylon is who I used to be closest to. That may be a household, whereas they’re struck by tragedy, they’re full of pleasure. That’s what I hope is caused by means of this memorial.”

The finances nonetheless wants the governor’s approval, however Feldott is hopeful after receiving a supportive letter from Gov. Greg Abbott. A Collins member of the family stated they’re grateful for Feldott’s work regardless of the ache.

Ultimately, somebody should be appointed to supervise the funds and that individual is anticipated to work carefully with the Collins household to find out what the challenge will seem like.

It was one of many deadliest jail escapes in fashionable historical past.

On Could 12, 2022, Gonzalo Lopez, a convicted assassin, escaped custody throughout a jail switch. For greater than three weeks, he eluded authorities. Then, on June 2, the unthinkable occurred.

WATCH: ESCAPED: The Centerville killings

Lopez killed 66-year-old Mark Collins and his 4 grandchildren — brothers Waylon, 18, Hudson, 16, Carson, 11, and their 11-year-old cousin Bryce — as they visited the household’s ranch in Centerville for what was imagined to be a fast fishing journey.

Now, three years later, the Collins household is talking publicly for the primary time about their unimaginable loss — and the way they’re reworking tragedy into an enduring tribute.

“For a mom and father to lose all their youngsters, it’s one thing that doesn’t occur within the fashionable age,” stated Chris Collins, father to Waylon, Hudson, and Carson. “Nevertheless it did to us.”

“Our household was reduce down by 5. We went all the way down to 10 from 15,” stated Dustin Collins, father to Bryce and son of Mark.

The horror started when Lopez, who was serving a sentence for capital homicide, escaped from a jail bus throughout a switch from Gatesville to Huntsville. Investigations later revealed that he was improperly searched and inadequately restrained. Lopez managed to free himself, stab a corrections officer, and hijack the car earlier than fleeing into the woods close to Centerville.

“We had been informed by legislation enforcement that they believed he had left the world,” stated Dustin. “So when Dad went again to the ranch, we thought nothing of it.”

However Lopez hadn’t left. He was hiding close by.

“I didn’t even assume twice that day,” stated Misti Collins, Waylon, Hudson, and Carson’s mom. “They had been simply going fishing. They stated they’d be again by 4, and we’d go to dinner.”

When the household misplaced contact with the group, authorities performed a welfare test. What they found shattered their lives.

5 members of the Collins household had been discovered shot to loss of life contained in the ranch home. Lopez had stolen the household’s firearms and truck, reigniting a statewide manhunt. He was later killed in a shootout with legislation enforcement in Jourdanton, greater than 200 miles away.

 “It was simply unreal. We didn’t know what to really feel. Attempting to course of what did I simply right here? You’re offended unhappy confused. You’re some questions, what do I do?” stated Dustin. 

“I bear in mind them leaving the driveway,” Chris Collins stated. “And I by no means acquired to see them once more.”

The household says they aren’t desirous about putting blame, however they acknowledge severe failures within the jail system.

“There’s no denying errors had been made,” Chris added. “There needs to be accountability. Somebody’s job is to move harmful criminals safely — and that didn’t occur.”

“We had been robbed,” he stated. “Robbed of their lives. Of birthdays. Of holidays. Of futures we’ll by no means see.”

The once-lively bedrooms within the Collins’ Tomball residence sit silent. However the household is set to not let their family members be remembered solely in grief.

Every one in every of them had a legacy, Waylon was athletic and pushed. Hudson was light and filled with hugs. Carson was tender-hearted. 

Bryce had a coronary heart of gold. 

And Mark was a troublesome however loving father. 

Assist has poured in from throughout the group, together with from a younger man who known as Waylon a teammate and a buddy.

Maddox Feldott, 20, was moved by the loss and impressed by a message shared on the Collins household funeral: Let extra good come from this tragedy than evil.

Since then, Feldott has taken the household’s story to the Texas Capitol, lobbying for a everlasting memorial.

“Her biggest worry was that her household could be forgotten,” he stated of Misti. “That is the least I might do.”

State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, has filed an modification to the state finances to honor the Collins household with a memorial.

“To see a younger man advocate like that is heartwarming,” Oliverson stated. “They could be gone, however they won’t be forgotten.”

The Collins household has additionally launched a nonprofit basis of their family members’ reminiscence, aiming to supply scholarships for kids who’ve skilled traumatic loss and different assist for households.

“It’s painful, each single day,” Chris stated. “But when one thing stunning can come from this, then perhaps their lives can proceed to the touch others.”

Because the household waits to see if the memorial modification will go — presumably by June 2, precisely three years after the tragedy — their message stays one in every of religion, resilience, and love.

“We don’t need them to be remembered in disappointment,” Chris stated. “We wish them to be remembered in hope and luxury.”

For updates on the Collins household memorial invoice and the scholarship basis, go to CollinsStrong.org.

KHOU 11’s Anayeli Ruiz spoke with the Collins household of their first interview since their family members had been killed in that tragic assault. You’ll be able to watch that prolonged interview on KHOU 11+.