Atmore Killer Found Dead In Prison Cell; He Was Convicted Of Strangling Woman, Torching Her Home

May 12, 2021

An Atmore man sentenced to life in prison for a 2013 strangulation death was found dead in his prison cell.

Collis McCaster, now 48, was found unresponsive in his private cell at 8:20 a.m. Sunday at the William Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Alabama. He was pronounced deceased at 8:45 a.m.

“At this time there is no evidence of trauma or foul play and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of the death,” Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates stated in a report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.

McCaster was originally charged with capital murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder for the death of 60-year old Mildred Jackson Morris.

Firefighters responded a call of smoke coming from Morris’ home at 227 Adams Street in Atmore about 5:20 a.m. on June 8, 2013. Once the fire was contained and firefighters were able to enter the residence, the remains of Morris were found on the living room couch where family members stated she normally slept. Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

Fire officials said the fire was contained mostly to the living room of the home.

McCaster was arrested a few hours later. He underwent a polygraph test and confessed to the crime.

Pictured top and below: Collis McCaster was convicted of murdering a woman then torching her home on Adams Street in Atmore in June 2013. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Atmore Killer Found Dead In Prison Cell; He Was Convicted Of Strangling Woman, Torching Her Home”

  1. Justme on May 16th, 2021 9:02 am

    sounds like he is right where he needs to be

  2. Sandra Chau on May 13th, 2021 11:44 pm

    Gòd knows what the cause of death was and that í all that matters!

  3. Randy Lucas on May 12th, 2021 4:57 pm

    I hate to hear of anyone dying…But,if any body has ever been inside West Jefferson.. They,know why it’s on Warrior Lane…..Just Saying…

  4. Deborah Daugherty on May 12th, 2021 4:42 pm

    All I can say is GOOD..!!!!

  5. chris on May 12th, 2021 1:15 pm

    @ DJC: You are right, I did not read it correctly.

  6. Reader on May 12th, 2021 10:32 am

    ” It’s sad he chose to take his own life.” — chris

    Chris, you might want to read it again slowly, or get someone to help ya. :)

  7. DJC on May 12th, 2021 9:49 am

    @ chris:
    Where does it say that he took his own life?

  8. Brandie on May 12th, 2021 9:05 am

    I loved my grandma n miss her so much
    Gud fo you im happy u went to jail then hell

  9. chris on May 12th, 2021 7:51 am

    I guess the taxpayers caught a break on this one. It’s sad he chose to take his own life.

  10. JTV on May 12th, 2021 4:54 am

    Justice Served

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News