DeLeon Springs Man Charged In Bunnell Death Investigation

Posted

DeLand, FL - A DeLeon Springs man, 51-year-old Ronald Collins, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Jillian Perotto. An investigation into a body found in Bunnell on Monday (December 23), led Flagler County Sheriff's deputies to Volusia County on Thursday (December 26).

Perotto's body was found on Monday rolled up in a comforter and placed on a futon inside an RV at 163 Ohio Ave.  Investigators identified Collins as the renter of the property which brought them to Volusia County.  VSO knew that Perotto had frequently been seen with Collins in the past.

Collins came into the VSO DeLand office Thursday afternoon to confess that he killed Perotto  at his home on U.S. 17 in DeLeon Springs. Collins said he blacked out and does not remember the details but says he did kill her because he was angry that she was going out to get money to buy drugs. Investigators found Petrotto had sustained blunt force trauma to her head and was strangled.

“Our detectives and CSI did a great job and worked through the holidays,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “Within a few hours FCSO detectives developed a person of interest and immediately worked with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office to jointly solve this case. This should send a message to criminals that regardless of jurisdictional boundaries we all work together and we will get you.”

“Thanks to hard work and cooperation between our detectives, Ronald Collins is in jail where he belongs, facing the consequences he deserves,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “We hope Ms. Petrotto’s family and friends can find some peace knowing her killer is brought to justice.”

Collins remains in the Volusia County Jail beingheld on no bond.

murder, investigation