Deadly Obsession: Ex-Husband's Double Murder Rampage in St. Augustine (True Crime Case)
In the quiet suburb of Mirabella in St. Augustine, Florida, what began as a supportive gathering among friends quickly devolved into tragedy on August 27, 2015. Amanda Col's life had been unraveling for months as her marriage to James Col Jr. fell apart, leading to their separation in June of that year. Behind the façade of their seemingly perfect family life in an upscale neighborhood, tensions had been building to a breaking point.
That fateful Thursday morning, Amanda returned home to find her house ransacked—drawers emptied, belongings scattered, and even her television destroyed. Concerned for her safety, she called her close friends Rachel Hendrick and Lindy Dobbins, as well as her new boyfriend Lamar Duberly, for support. None of them could have anticipated that within moments of gathering, James would appear outside with a handgun, firing shots through the windows and forever changing their lives.
Key Takeaways
What appeared to be a perfect family life in an upscale Florida neighborhood masked the deteriorating relationship between Amanda and James Col.
Amanda's home was completely ransacked before the violent incident occurred, possibly signaling escalating danger.
The gathering of friends for support quickly turned tragic when an armed intruder appeared at the property.
The Emergency Call and Desperate Aftermath
Rachel's Frantic Call for Assistance
"Yes... shot... shot... our friend that was there with us. I'm hiding in a neighbor's house. I'm scared to death." These were the terrified words Rachel Hendrick managed to speak during her emergency call on that fateful August morning in 2015. Rachel had been visiting her friend Amanda Cole's upscale suburban home along with Lindy Dobbins. The three women had gathered to support Amanda through her difficult marriage separation, completely unaware of the horror that would soon unfold.
The dispatcher struggled to understand Rachel's panicked words through her screams. In the background, the unmistakable sound of gunfire could be heard, creating a chaotic and terrifying scene that would forever change the lives of everyone involved.
The Devastating Result of the Violence
What began as a supportive gathering of friends quickly transformed into an unimaginable tragedy. The peaceful morning was shattered when James Collie Jr., Amanda's estranged husband, arrived at the property armed and enraged. He had discovered Amanda's new relationship with Lamar Duberly, a former military officer with an impressive background who was also present at the house that morning.
When James appeared outside the home, gun in hand, Lamar managed to escape by ducking under the garage door and running between nearby houses. Amanda, Lindy, and Rachel were left inside, desperately seeking shelter as James entered the residence. Amanda locked herself in the bathroom while Lindy and Rachel barricaded themselves in the master bedroom closet, with Rachel bracing against the door.
The violence that followed left families devastated and five young children without their mothers. What should have been an ordinary Thursday instead became a day of heartbreak and loss that would forever mark the community.
Neighborhood Left in Disbelief
The Mirabella neighborhood in St. Augustine, Florida was known for its tranquility and upscale character. The Collie family had chosen it as an ideal place to raise their two children, six-year-old Trey and four-year-old Avery. From the outside, they appeared to be a perfect family – hosting gatherings, playing with their children in the cul-de-sac, and maintaining an image of happiness.
Even as their marriage deteriorated, Amanda and James seemed to handle their separation with quiet dignity. This made the violent events all the more shocking to neighbors and friends who had no indication of the brewing danger.
The morning's events had been preceded by a disturbing warning sign. When Amanda returned home around 9:00 AM, she discovered her house had been completely ransacked overnight – drawers pulled out, belongings scattered, and even her television smashed to pieces. Nothing had been stolen; the destruction appeared to be someone searching for something or perhaps leaving a message.
This violation of her home prompted Amanda to call her friends for support, unknowingly bringing them into a situation that would turn deadly within hours.
A Life before the Tragedy
Marriage Struggles of Amanda Collie
Amanda Collie lived in the upscale Mirabella neighborhood of St. Augustine, Florida with her husband James Collie Jr. and their two young children—six-year-old Trey and four-year-old Avery. Their marriage had begun deteriorating in early 2015, leading to an official separation in June of that year.
The breakdown of their relationship remained largely private, with few neighbors aware of the troubles brewing behind closed doors. Despite their internal conflicts, both Amanda and James maintained appearances, handling their separation with what seemed like mutual respect.
By April 2015, Amanda had formed a professional connection with Lamar Duberly, a former military officer with impressive credentials including education at the US Naval Academy and experience working at the Pentagon. This professional relationship gradually evolved into a personal one, and by June 2015, following her separation from James, they began dating.
Portrayal of Family Happiness
From the outside, the Collie family presented an image of suburban perfection. Their home in Mirabella represented achievement and stability—a beautiful residence in an exclusive community they had chosen specifically to raise their children.
Neighbors frequently observed James playing with Trey and Avery in the cul-de-sac, presenting the picture of an engaged father. The couple was known throughout the neighborhood for their hospitality, regularly hosting gatherings and social events where they appeared as gracious hosts.
Their public image revealed nothing of their private struggles. To friends, acquaintances, and passersby, they embodied the ideal family:
Active community members
Engaged parents
Successful professionals
Sociable neighbors
This carefully maintained façade made the events of August 27, 2015, all the more shocking to those who knew them. The violence that erupted that day seemed completely disconnected from the family's outward appearance of harmony and happiness.
The Devastating Morning
Rachel's Response to Amanda's Alert
Rachel Hendrick received an unexpected message about Amanda on Thursday morning in August 2015. After dropping her children at school, Rachel had stopped at a friend's house to get her hair done when the concerning communication arrived. The message indicated something was wrong with Amanda, who had been Rachel's close friend for years. Their friendship, along with Lindy Dobbins, had formed a strong support system where they regularly helped with each other's children and provided emotional support during difficult times.
Discovering the Vandalized Home
When Amanda returned to her upscale Mirabella home in St. Augustine that morning, she encountered a shocking scene. Her normally pristine residence had been completely vandalized overnight while she was away. Personal belongings were scattered everywhere, drawers pulled out, and papers thrown about the rooms. Even the television had been smashed to pieces, though oddly, nothing appeared to be stolen. The house looked as if someone had frantically searched through all her possessions, methodically destroying her sense of security in the process.
Friends Gathering for Support
Amanda quickly reached out to her support network, believing there might be safety in numbers. Lamar Duberly, Amanda's boyfriend since her June separation from James, was one of the first to arrive. As a former military officer with Pentagon experience, Lamar brought a calm, strategic presence to the chaotic situation. Rachel and Lindy arrived shortly after, each hoping to provide comfort to Amanda during this troubling discovery. Together, the four adults walked through the damaged home, with Lamar and Rachel examining the garage while Amanda and Lindy remained upstairs trying to understand what had happened to the house.
Personal Relationships and Dynamics
Amanda and Lamar's Evolving Relationship
Amanda and Lamar's connection began in a professional context at Fanatics, a sportswear company where they both worked in corporate management positions. Their relationship transformed gradually, starting in April 2015 while Amanda was still married. By June 2015, after Amanda had formally separated from her husband James, their relationship evolved into a romantic one.
Lamar brought stability to Amanda's life during a turbulent time. With his impressive background as a former military officer who had attended the US Naval Academy, studied at the Marine Corps University, and worked at the Pentagon, he presented a strong and dependable presence. Their relationship developed from professional colleagues to intimate partners over several months.
On the morning of the incident, Lamar was one of the first people Amanda contacted when she discovered her ransacked home. He arrived to support her, demonstrating his commitment to the relationship. When Amanda FaceTimed him about the damage, he quickly came to assess the situation alongside her.
Marriage Breakdown and Resulting Consequences
The deterioration of Amanda and James Colie's marriage created ripple effects throughout their lives. Despite appearing to neighbors as the perfect family in their upscale Mirabella neighborhood in St. Augustine, Florida, serious tensions were developing behind closed doors. The couple had maintained a façade of normalcy, regularly hosting gatherings and appearing to handle their separation with dignity.
James and Amanda had built what seemed like an ideal life, raising their two young children—six-year-old Trey and four-year-old Trey—in a beautiful home. Neighbors frequently observed James playing with the children in their cul-de-sac, unaware of the brewing conflict.
The separation in June 2015 marked a critical turning point. Amanda's relationship with Lamar intensified the situation, becoming a trigger for James. His violent response—vandalizing Amanda's home and later arriving armed—demonstrates how severely the marriage breakdown affected his mental state. During the attack, James repeatedly shouted "Where is he?", indicating his primary target was Lamar, Amanda's new partner.
Events That Led to the Tragedy
Assessing the Home Invasion
Amanda Coli returned to her home in the upscale Mirabella neighborhood of St. Augustine, Florida around 9:00 AM on August 27, 2015, to discover it had been completely ransacked. The once pristine residence showed clear signs of someone having searched through her belongings. Drawers were pulled out, clothes and papers scattered across the floor, and personal items tossed aside. Most notably, her television had been smashed to pieces.
Strangely, nothing appeared to be stolen from the home. This suggested the intruder wasn't interested in valuables but was instead searching for something specific. Amanda, likely sensing danger, immediately reached out to her support network.
Lamar Duberly's View of the Situation
Lamar Duberly, Amanda's boyfriend since June 2015, was one of the first people she contacted after discovering the break-in. Their relationship had evolved from professional colleagues at Fanatics, a sportswear company, to an intimate partnership following her separation from James Coli Jr. in June.
Lamar, a former military officer with Naval Academy training and Pentagon experience, responded quickly to Amanda's distress call. "Amanda FaceTimed me and I was able to survey the damage," he later explained. His military background made him particularly alert to potential threats, and he began assessing the situation immediately upon arrival.
While at the house, Lamar and Rachel went to examine the garage while Amanda and Lindy remained upstairs. His training likely heightened his awareness that the home invasion might be a precursor to something more dangerous.
Rachel and Lindy's Critical Decision
Rachel Hendrick and Lindy Dobbins, Amanda's close friends, rushed to her aid that morning. The three women shared a strong bond—they regularly babysat each other's children and supported one another through difficult times. When Amanda needed them, they didn't hesitate to come to her side.
Rachel had just completed her morning routine of dropping her children at school and was getting her hair done at a friend's house when she received the troubling message. Both women arrived at Amanda's home hoping to provide comfort and security as they walked through the destruction together.
Their decision to stay became critical when James Coli Jr. appeared outside the home with a handgun, firing through windows while shouting "Where is he?" repeatedly. In those terrifying moments, as Lamar fled recognizing he was the target, Rachel and Lindy made the split-second decision to hide. They barricaded themselves in the master bedroom closet—Rachel bracing her foot against the door and gripping the doorknob, while Lindy crouched behind a chest of drawers in silent terror.
James Col's Deadly Assault
Entry and Violent Confrontation
On August 27, 2015, what began as a supportive gathering at Amanda Col's upscale Mirabella home in St. Augustine turned tragic. Amanda had returned home around 9:00 that morning to discover her house completely ransacked—drawers pulled out, belongings scattered, and her television smashed to pieces. Concerned for her safety, she contacted her close friends Rachel Hendrick and Lindy Dobbins, as well as her boyfriend Lamar Duberly, who came to offer support.
The situation escalated dramatically when James Col Jr., Amanda's estranged husband, appeared in the backyard with a handgun. Without warning, he began firing through the windows, shattering glass throughout the living room. His voice carried clearly as he repeatedly shouted, "Where is he?"—making his intentions unmistakable.
Lamar Duberly's Escape
Recognizing himself as the likely target, Lamar Duberly reacted instantly to the gunfire. "I thought that I was the targeted individual," Duberly later testified, explaining his split-second decision-making during those chaotic moments. Being trained as a former military officer with experience at the Pentagon and Naval Academy, he quickly assessed the situation.
Duberly shouted for everyone to run before making his own escape. He managed to duck under the garage door and sprint between neighboring houses in the cul-de-sac. His military background and strategic thinking likely contributed to his quick reaction, which allowed him to put distance between himself and the enraged gunman.
Victims' Attempt to Hide
As gunshots continued, the three women scrambled for safety within the house. Their options severely limited, they fled upstairs seeking any possible shelter. Amanda locked herself in the bathroom while Rachel and Lindy took refuge in the master bedroom closet.
Inside the closet, Rachel positioned herself defensively:
Left hand gripping the doorknob tightly
Foot braced against the bottom of the door
Body tensed to resist any entry attempt
Lindy crouched behind a chest of drawers, maintaining complete silence. Meanwhile, James Col stormed through the front door with his weapon drawn and proceeded upstairs, his footsteps heavy with rage. The women could hear his angry voice as he searched for them, particularly focused on finding Lamar who had already escaped the premises.
