Pocono News Section

Collection Drive to Help Triple Murder Victims' Families

Collection Drive to Help Triple Murder Victims' Families - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 4:48PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Aug 5, 2008 @ 04:48pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Just 19 days after a triple murder in Scranton, the community is coming together to help the survivors. A collection drive has been set up to help members of the Collier-Hintz family.

It’s been almost three weeks since three people were brutally murdered in this South Scranton home. Since then the building has been boarded-up and a lone candle outside is still burning bright.

Four people, including a young baby survived the attack, and District Attorney Andy Jarbola hopes they are not forgotten. “People in this community are very generous when helping people in trouble out."

That's why the D. A.'s office and the Mall at Steamtown have set up a collection drive for the Hintz-Collier family. They're looking for kitchen items like dishes and silverware and bedroom items like blankets and sheets to be donated.

Everything the family had was damaged or destroyed. “That house was a mess, subsequent to the triple homicide. There was blood everywhere, whether it was on the furniture, the bedding, clothing. All the items had to be discarded,” said Jarbola.

People who live in this South Scranton neighborhood are glad something is being done to help the Hintz-Collier family - people they saw everyday. Jeanne White said, “We all had them in our prayers. It’s a tragedy. You think about them."

Neighbors like White hope the community is supportive. “You look down and see the house and its a constant reminder of what happened. I don't think any of us will ever forget," she said.

Randall Rushing has been charged in connection with the triple murder. He's still scheduled to have a preliminary hearing later this month. “This was a very traumatic experience for members of that family and whatever we can do to help them out, we'll be more than glad to do so," added Jarbola.

To see an exact list of the items that the family needs, or to make a donation, you can visit the office at the Steamtown Mall. Organizers say the collection drive will last through the month of August.