Collinsville police identify murder victim, ask public’s help locating suspect

Collinsville Police have identified the victim in an apparent murder on Thursday.

Robin M. Mendez, 67, was found dead in her home in the 100 block of Rainbow Drive at about 3:45 p.m. Thursday. According to a statement issued by police on Friday, an autopsy indicates her death was a homicide.

Early on in the investigation, police identified someone they believe is a suspect. Witnesses told investigators that the person is in possession of Mendez’s Maroon 2005 Chevy Impala, a release stated.

Police have been searching for both the suspect and the car ever since.

According to the Illinois State Police Child Sex Offender registry, the person police are seeking was convicted in 2014 of indecent solicitation of a child under the age of 14. According to the registry, he resides is at Mendez’s address.

It also describes him as a white male, 5-feet, 10-inches tall, 198 pounds with brown hair and facial hair.

It’s not clear when the crime actually occurred, what the motive was or how Mendez was killed. Police were sent to the house at 115 Rainbow Drive about 3:48 p.m. on what initially was believed to be a medical emergency. It’s when officers arrived that they discovered Mendez had sustained “serious traumatic injuries.”

She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison County coroner.

According to Collinsville Police, investigators are confident that the suspect and Mendez were associates and that the alleged murder was not a random act of violence.

Police are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating Mendez’s vehicle. It is believed the suspect frequents the North St. Louis and Washington Park area. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to call 618-344-2131.

This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 4:28 PM.