Monica & Dalton Rollins

Murdered – September 2002 – Heflin, AL

Arrest Made June 26, 2023

Cleburne County

23-year-old Monica Rollins, 36 weeks pregnant at the time, and her 6-year-old son Dalton Rollins (Heflin, AL) were found brutally murdered inside their Heflin home on Sugar Hill Road on the morning of September 16, 2002. Investigators believed the assault caused Monica to go into early labor, which resulted in the partial delivery and death of her third son. Her 2-year-old son was found in a closet where he’d remained hidden and unharmed. It is believed the attacks occurred at some point over the weekend.

While very few details are known about the murders of Monica and Dalton, early media articles reported the young mother and son suffered from apparent stab wounds. Law enforcement officials have not commented publicly on what was discovered upon their arrival, stating that certain key information would only be known by the person responsible. They did, however, confirm evidence such as DNA, fingerprints and fibers had been collected at the scene and sent to the Alabama Department of Forensics for processing and analysis.

Over 20 years later, the investigation continues today with investigators following up on leads and narrowing down the potential suspect list as information is received, though no person(s) of interest has ever been named publicly.

Learn more about Monica & Dalton’s case in Episode 5 of Unforgotten.

2/9/23 Update from Heflin Police Department

“I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers for this precious family. This case is near and dear to our community and Police Department.

The case was reopened almost 2 years ago by Chief McGlaughn and myself, Captain Scott Bonner. We have resent multiple items to forensics labs both private and state. We continue to keep close contact with some of the family members and try our best to provide support as much as we can.

Although I can’t go into specific details due to the ongoing investigation, I will say there is a suspect and evidence. There is no threat to anyone from the suspect in this case at this time. The suspect, who I cannot name yet is in jail in another state for unrelated crimes.

We, along with the District Attorney’s Office, Center for Applied Forensics and other agencies has put in hundreds of hours developing evidence, suspects and witnesses.

I ask everyone to continue to pray for the family and law enforcement. I also ask everyone to please allow the family to have some privacy while we continue to work on this case.

We apologize for it taking so long for details to come available but, as anyone knows, evidence resubmission takes longer than expected.

Again, thank y’all for your support and especially your prayers. And as soon as a development comes available, we will share it. God bless, everyone, and be safe.”
Capt. Scott Bonner, Heflin Police Department – ACCA FB page

6/30/23 Update from Heflin Police Department

On June 30, 2023, Heflin Police Department announced the arrest of Lewis Landon Spivey for the murders of Monica and Dalton Rollins. Capt. Bonner and Chief McGlaughn took Spivey into custody after his release from a Florida prison, where he had been serving a 15-year sentence for unrelated charges.

A bond hearing was held on June 29, 2023, in accordance with Alabama § 15-13-3. The Court determined that the criteria for invoking Aniah’s Law had been met, leading to Spivey’s continued pretrial confinement without the possibility of bond.

Subsequently, Spivey provided a comprehensive confession, detailing the events that took place in September of 2002 and accepting sole responsibility for the murders of Dalton and Monica.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Capt. Bonner, the Heflin Police Department, and all the other agencies and individuals who displayed unwavering dedication and determination in their pursuit of justice for Monica, Dalton, and their grieving family.