The person at the center of this case
Ray Burssie Collins
Missing Person · Open
39 years waiting · since 1987
Missing Person: Ray Burssie Collins
Justice for Ray Burssie Collins — the trail went cold in 1987, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Why did the companion take out a $25,000 life insurance policy on Collins before the trip?
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evidence
Lead #2What evidence exists regarding Collins' actual presence at the Colorado Springs bus station?
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vehicle
Lead #3Where did Collins' pickup truck go after being returned, and what forensic evidence was collected?
Ray Burssie Collins, a 57-year-old mineral collector from Florida, disappeared on July 31, 1987, while on a collecting trip in Colorado with two male friends. One companion returned Collins' pickup truck and claimed he had dropped Collins at a bus station in Colorado Springs to visit the Grand Canyon, but Collins never arrived at his destination. The case took a suspicious turn when it was discovered that this same companion had taken out a $25,000 life insurance policy on Collins shortly before his disappearance, raising serious questions about foul play.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4What is the exact timeline of when each companion left Colorado and returned to Florida?
💡
clue
Lead #5Collins wore a distinctive gold ring with a green October birthstone—has this ever been recovered?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP12001. Missing person: Ray Burssie Collins.
Last known contact: 1987-07-31 in Salida, Chaffee, CO. Circumstances: Collins, a resident of Winter Haven FL, was mineral collecting in CO with 2 male friends.
One returned to FL on a family emergency, then a few days later, the other returned driving Collins' pick-up truck. It was later discovered that that "friend" had taken out a $25,000 life insurance policy on Collins.
The "friend" said that Collins had wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, so he dropped him off at a bus station in Colorado Springs. Demographics: 57 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 150 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue. Clothing and accessories: Jewelry: Ring; gold with a green October birth stone.
Stone was oval with a Cabochon cut. The stone was encircled with a ring of tiny beads..
Investigating agency: Chaffee County Sheriff's Office | 87-2613.
Timeline of Events
👤
1987-07-31
Ray Burssie Collins disappears
Collins last known contact in Salida, Colorado while on mineral collecting trip with two male friends.
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1987-07-31
Dropped at bus station
Companion claims Collins was dropped at a bus station in Colorado Springs to travel to the Grand Canyon.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:July 31, 1987
Last Updated:August 12, 2026
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Phone: 7195392596
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Case Information
Incident:July 31, 1987
Last Updated:August 12, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7195392596
You can remain anonymous