CHATTANOOGA — The Tennessee Missing and Unsolved website released information concerning the 1992 homicide of Leonard Collier. Collier, a 44-year-old Chattanooga resident and stepfather of former NFL player Reggie White, was found deceased in his vehicle.
Collier departed from his home on December 18, 1992. Police located his Ford Fairlane on December 19, 1992, parked outside the Saint Elmo Recreational Center in Chattanooga. Investigators discovered Collier deceased inside the vehicle with visible injuries; he died from blunt force trauma. Investigators believe a hammer was the weapon used in the homicide.
One thousand dollars was missing from the vehicle. Investigators have identified robbery as a potential motive in the case. Evidence indicates Collier may have stopped his vehicle to assist a stranded motorist prior to his death. Collier's body was discovered on what would have been Reggie White's 31st birthday.
Collier graduated from Howard High School and served in the United States Army. He was employed by Chattem, Inc. He became a stepfather figure to White when White was nine years old. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Collier; his daughter, Christie Collier; and his stepsons, Julius Dodds and Reginald White. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty McGraw and Shirley Murray, and his brothers, Leon Collier, Reubin Collier, Freddie Collier, and Albert Suttles.
The homicide investigation remains unsolved. The Hamilton County District Attorney's Cold Case Unit maintains a contact number at 423-991-6567 for any information regarding the investigation.