Louisville Metro police arrested a man Friday accused of fatally stabbing a 79-year-old woman in the Fern Creek neighborhood.
Bettie Collins was found dead on February 12 during a welfare check, but police say she had died days early on either February 6 or 7.
Mark Rudolph, 29 of Crestwood, appeared in court Saturday, charged with murder, robbery, burglary, and tampering with physical evidence.
According to court documents, Rudolph was caught on surveillance video with Collins’ car, abandoning the vehicle in the 4500 block of Bardstown Road. When investigators tried to contact Collins about the stolen car, they found her dead inside her home, with stab wounds in her head, neck, back and left hand.
Officials say police found two bloody kitchen knives during a search of the car.
Court documents say tests show ‘very strong support’ that DNA on the knives found in the car and around the house belongs to Rudolph. Rudolph’s shoes were also collected for evidence. Blood was found on the shoes and tested as well, showing ‘very strong support’ that it came from Collins.
Police say additional evidence at Collins’ home shows Rudolph allegedly tried to clean up the scene by disposing of, concealing and destroying evidence.
Rudolph has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bond has been set at $750,000. He is expected back in court March 18.
Source: WAVE
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