The Murder of Rowan Ford… One Year Later

UPDATE 12/05/08 – Both Chris Collings and David Spears were in court this week.On Wednesday, Collings’ trial in Phelps County was set for MarchMarch reviews 2010.On December 11, Collings will have a hair sample collected for DNA analysis whether he likes it or not (the defense objected, but the motion was sustained.) Collings’ first pretrial conference is set for July 24, 2009. Also Wednesday, David Spears was in court in Pulaski County.His trial has been set for July, 2010, and a similar motion was filed asking for hair samples.Both men remain in jail without bond pending trial.

Rowan Damia Ford ~ April 11, 1998 – NovemberNovember reviews 3, 2007

Stella, MO - One year ago today, on November 3, 2007, nine-year-old Rowan Damia Ford was brutally raped and murdered by her mother’s best friend, Chris Collings, and her stepfather, David Wesley Spears.One year ago today, Rowan was dumped in a sinkhole and left to rot while her mother looked for her and her stepfather said she’d gone over to a friend’s house.One year ago today, Rowan’s life ended – but her story had just begun. [Read more...]

David Spears, Chris Collings Arrested In Death Of Rowan Ford

Stella, MO – David Spears, and his friend, Chris Collings, 32, were charged SaturdaySaturday reviews with one count each of first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape in the death of a 9-year-old Rowan Ford. Her body was found FridayFriday reviews in a cave in a remote part of McDonald County, about 10 miles south of the village of Stella, where she lived with her mother and David Spears. Based in part on Collings’ statement, the affidavit sent to the prosecutor alleges that the men took Rowan from her home to a camping trailer where Collings lived in Barry County. [Read more...]