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I'm not saying that I didn't hit him. Okay. That's the biggest concern is that she's going to kill him. I don't want to take her to jail. I can't believe my mom's GOING TO JAIL. >> [screaming] >> WHAT DID I HIT HIM WITH? A HAMMER. HUH? A hammer. A hammer? Oh my god. When an 83-year-old man calls 911 for help after being struck in the head with a hammer, deputies arrive to find the man's wife, a 79-year-old woman with dementia, scared that an intruder is inside her home. As this tragic case unfolds, [music] deputies are left with a heartbreaking decision, one that will likely haunt them for the rest OF THEIR CAREERS. >> [screaming] >> THE FOLLOWING IS BASED ON OFFICIAL police records. On June 2nd, 2025, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office in Florida receives a call from 83-year-old George Collins. Sheriff's Office, what's your emergency, sir? Uh she hit me in the head with a hammer. Where are you at? Uh Okay, who is she? What's her name? Uh Diane. I'm Do you need an ambulance? Yeah. Okay, we're on the way. Can y'all stay separated by any chance? Yeah. I don't want her to put you in more danger till we can get out there. A deputy soon arrives at the Collins residence. Out front, he finds Elizabeth Diane Collins, George's 79-year-old wife. The couple's been married for over 60 years. What is he going to do for me? Okay. How'd it happen? He did on me. And you know what? I picked up something to hit him with something. >> Okay. And I I meant to to It was him on the way. >> All right. >> But I hit him there. 27 EMS can go ahead and come on. Don't don't I'm not saying that I didn't hit him. Okay. But that's why it started. Normal's fine for now. All right. Diane, can you stay right here for me? Sir? Can you stay right here? Let me go check on George real quick, okay? You know it's George, right, that you hit? Okay. Don't go nowhere. Inside the home, the deputy finds George with blood-soaked paper towels on his head and a laceration on his right elbow. He also finds blood on the floor and several walls. With emergency services already on the way, the deputy attempts to get the story from Diane. Diane, what happened? Something he does, awfully does, trying to make me just as mad, and I'm not. But he just reached up and just Yeah. How did that happen to your arm? I think it was a hammer or something like that. Yeah. I didn't know he had something like that. And he's the meanest man I have ever seen. Well, I don't know. He's been pretty nice to me. Well, You know it's George, right? George, my husband. >> Yeah, that's >> That's not him. Oh, that's George. No. Okay. I don't know who who he is. Okay. >> who he comes in here. Okay. >> him. My mother my my daddy is out right now. Okay. >> And he comes in with and I know what's going to happen. Okay. And I I try not to. I run. Okay. I don't want them to die. People looked at me looked all this crazy, but I was putting putting I was getting out of here. Here and I thought, "What if According to police reports, while inside the home, George had explained that Diane had begun yelling at him before attacking him with a pair of scissors. Once George was able to get the scissors from her, Diane went to the garage and grabbed a hammer. George attempted to keep his distance with his walking cane, but Diane grabbed it and then swung the hammer at him, striking him in the head. He was eventually able to get the hammer from her before calling 911. So she's having one of her things. She's having one of her things. So she says, "I don't know who that man is, but he came in and he had a hammer and So she's got a wound on her arm. I'm assuming that's from him trying to wrestle the frying pan away from her, but he's got a little cut in his head, too. So All right. If you want to go talk to him while I talk to her, it's What did I didn't need to do when he was in there didn't Right. >> me. Okay. Well, we're going to investigate it and we're going to look into it, okay? Though the deputy calls it one of her things, they know that Diane has been diagnosed with dementia. In fact, they've been to the residence on multiple occasions prior to this. I remember y'all coming by and y'all told me that my husband was there. Mhm. But he's not here today. And the old man in there is is just He That's all he wants to do is kill somebody. Okay. And I'm not sure that's true, but >> Well, Well, he's in there talking to George right now, okay? All right. He's making it up. You can guarantee you that cuz he ain't said nothing to me other than hold up something on on on me. I've run out two or three times trying to get away from him. Right. You want to go inside and get some Kleenex? Or do you want me to bring it to you? I don't know what I'm going to do. Will you go with me? I'll go with you. Come on. Let's go. Let's go get you some Kleenex. And don't y'all treat me as the biggest liar that has ever walked. Okay. It isn't long before emergency services arrive. So he's got a spot top of the head. It's already dry, but and then he's got some stuff some cuts. He said they're older, but they just started bleeding again. And she's bleeding on her elbow. So they're both going to be checked. Both George and Diane are treated and cleared. The wound on Diane's arm is bandaged and George has a large contusion on his head, but he declines being taken to the hospital. Almost as soon as the emergency services arrived, Diane began to struggle to recall the event. Good luck, guys. Yeah, thanks. We're not finished. We're going to hang out for a minute, George. We're we're trying to figure out what we're going to do, okay? Last thing we want to do is They don't want to leave. I'm scared to death. Yeah, there we go. I felt scared to death that that man did it. Oh, see, she thinks the man that hit her is gone. So now she recognizes George again. With a heartbreaking situation on their hands, the deputies decide to wait for their lieutenant to arrive before pursuing anything further. Cuz we got to do something like she may end up killing him in the midnight if we don't. We're getting to a point, George, where your life's being put in danger, you know? Hammer and the Did I hit you? Did I walk behind? Yeah, you did. >> Well, I didn't mean to >> [laughter] >> hit the man. I didn't know if they take me out. Okay, thanks. Well, you didn't mean to. What now? The last time you turned your head, it walked. >> [laughter] >> HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? While George and Diane can find humor in the situation now, things will soon take an unfortunate turn. We don't hit each other. Oops. That's a one-way street. I didn't think you would mean to. Yeah. Well, what have I done? What have I done? Hit him hit him with him. Who was that? George. You die. I ain't touched you with anything. Except for you know what. >> [laughter] >> Oh, my god. Okay. Oh, man. This one. Yeah, my virgin ears. Though Diane can't remember hitting her husband, she does remember that there was apparently an intruder. Who was he? I don't know. I don't know. Well, you apparently scared him off. What they I don't know what What you want you? What you hollering at me was it? Oh, Nick. Yeah. >> No. Well, I didn't I wouldn't holler at him. Yeah, but I told you don't hit me. What do you want? Told you not to hit me. Well, a lot of people tells me that. I didn't ever do it. I mean, I didn't ever forget it, but The deputies didn't just call their lieutenant, but also Diane and George's son, Trent, who soon arrives at the home. He speaks with his father before coming out to discuss the situation. He's a Trent, what do I do? I can't see with her. And nobody can stay with her. Like if she attacks him, Yeah. Like I got a son. I can't have her with What are the options? The deputy has gathered some resources for Trent and George, including elder care. However, those options will take some time to set up. We still got to figure out what direction we're going cuz So I mean, I hate I'd hate to take her to jail. >> want to take her to jail. I mean, what do we do? I can't let her stay with him. She's going to kill him. That's it. She has no idea who she was. She was mad at me. Like I'm telling him that talking to him about his options and she's like, "Get the [ __ ] out of my house. Who are you?" You know, this is tearing our family like it's so hard hearing my mom say that. But I'm kind of past that now, so I'm like Yeah. Uh What what Dad, what do you want to do? It's your call. I'll stay here with you tonight. Whatever you want to do. And he goes, "Trent, I can't do anything with her. What do I do with her?" According to the deputy, this is the 11th time in about 11 months that they've been called to the Collins house for similar incidents. Police records state that on previous occasions Diane has believed George is an intruder and armed herself with scissors, kitchen knives, and various objects from the home. She's got no recollection. I don't Yeah, I'm She's like what's that all over your pants? What's this on the floor? If you can't If you can't deal with her, then tell us and we'll take her and we'll be done with it. That's what my dad wants. I just talked to him. I said, "Dad, I'll stay here with you." He is hell with that, Trent. No, I can't do it anymore. I've had enough. He loves her, but what what What did you do? He can't stay with her. I said, "Darryl's not going to leave you in here with her tonight." >> I think. She's going to hit you with a hammer. Yep. I ain't hitting no god damn hammer. I'll hit you with a hammer if you tell on me. This is just telling me This is just This is bad, man. Okay. Um I hate to say take her, but that's that's pretty much what he wants. All right. I can't believe my mom's going to jail. You know what we got to do? Damn it. Aggravated battery. Come on out, boys. Ms. Collins. Do you want to help us out, baby? I got a lot of info right here. Why you got a lot Come on. I got a lot of info right here. I was out for a moment. Based on the circumstances, they decide to place Diane under arrest for aggravated domestic battery with a deadly weapon. While everything has been relatively calm so far, this is where things take a heart-wrenching turn. TAKE IT OUT. IT'S RIDICULOUS. COME ON, MS. COLLINS. >> COME ON. YOU want to JUST SIT THERE? LET'S GO FOR A RIDE IN THE CAR. NO. >> [screaming] >> COME ON. COME ON. NO. I'LL TAKE THAT OFF. NO. NO. COME ON. MS. COLLINS, COME ON. DON'T DON'T DON'T LET HIM. GOD. I DIDN'T DO IT. COME ON. YOU CAN HOLD ON TO THOSE IF YOU WANT. HOW YOU CUT MY LEG OFF? >> [screaming] >> I CUT YOUR LEG OFF. COME ON. NO. I DIDN'T DO IT TO YOU. Got it. I did. Okay. All right. Have a seat for us, Ms. Collins. Okay? Have a seat. >> Have a seat in the car. Yep. Have a seat. I can't sit down on them them them them seats. Well, >> I can't sit down on that. You don't have to. >> You don't have to. Come on. Have a seat. Just move that out of the way. There you go. >> Yep. Just have a seat. Climb on in there and I'll get you buckled in. You're crazy. No, we're not. No, we're not. >> Go on and have a seat, Ms. Collins, okay? I don't know who you are. Who are you? Okay. Have a seat. I didn't do anything. All right, Diane. Let's just have a seat. Will you sit down in there first? No. No, I'm not going to I'm going to sit up front. I'm going to drive you. I don't want to drive. I just want to sit up front. Well, I can't have you sit up front. Well, but Have a seat so we can buckle the seat belt, okay? Don't buckle the seat belt. I ain't going to do nothing. There we go. All right. Let me get you buckled in. Oh my gosh. I ain't going nowhere. I just No, it's No, you you don't know nothing. It's just so you DON'T GET HURT. NO. MY DOG MY NO. DIANE. >> DON'T BLAME MY DOG. NO. I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOUR DOG. NO. [screaming] CAN'T GO HOME. I WANT MY HUSBAND. THE CHILDREN DEAL WITH THAT. DON'T DO THAT. WE CAN'T DO THAT, MAN. NO. >> [screaming] >> NO. OW. OW. HUH? NO. NO. NO. NO. NOW, WE'RE DONE with that, DIANE. WE'RE DONE. >> [screaming] >> GIVE ME THAT, SWEETHEART. >> [screaming] >> OKAY. >> [screaming] [screaming] >> DIANE. OKAY. 76 IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. Watch your head, Diane. >> Watch your head, Diane. Okay. [ __ ] Yeah, I'm all right. It's right here. Did she break skin? No, she didn't break skin. She just wanted her to sit there for now. >> That's fine. Okay. Make sure she's fine. Yeah. >> [sighs] >> I don't know who you are. Please help me. Huh? Diane, you're going to be just fine, okay? I didn't do nothing. Elizabeth Diane Collins, I know who you are. Huh? You're married to George. I've been out here about 11 times, okay? I haven't You have not. I >> I've never seen you before. I've been out here a lot, dear. Trent also comes out once again and the deputy explains what just happened. Will she bite me? Is she real? Yeah, she chomped. She was trying to fight me. I I didn't want to slam the door cuz I didn't want to like She's frail. I didn't want to injure her. >> you She bit you with dentures? She bit you with dentures? >> Yeah. Damn. So it was like, all right, well, let's put some cuffs on her and like kind of restrain her hands a little bit so I can get the door shut after I got the seat belt on and went to put the cuff on, she just went for chomped on me. Yes. Yeah. I never seen that side of her. She's normally real sweet to me. Well, I don't know, man. It's all right. I feel This is one of those where it's like I just feel absolutely terrible. We've been out here a lot. I heard my dad talking about putting her in like I said, "Has she hurt you?" He always says, "No." Yeah. >> So then we got to put her somewhere and he almost said He said he will. And then they'll call me next and say, "Um we think we'll work it out." And I'm like, "Dad, you got to put her somewhere, man." >> going to get worse. >> Yeah, you got to. But basically we are in a position where we have no other choice and we don't. >> Okay. Okay. It felt like a real I really would do something. After speaking with Trent, the deputy shares some of his concerns. I'm really hoping that somebody over here didn't record that throw it on YouTube already. What's that? That. Just cuz she's so old, you know. That's fine. It's going to be a real bad look. >> We were not We didn't do anything wrong. >> No, we We were not mean and we weren't overbearing or I know. And none of that, okay? That's why I said Yeah, anything that's just getting her out there. Yeah. All that was good. We didn't slam her to the ground. We didn't kick her and and all that kind of stuff. We We were very very gentle with her. Yeah, I know. So I They can post that on YouTube all they want. I don't I don't care. Now that Diane has had a moment to calm down in the back of the cop car, they're ready to transport her. However, she once again is having trouble remembering what's just happened and what's going on. What's that? George is just fine. Can I get out of this thing? No, we're going to take you up to the jail, baby. To the jail? Yep, that's where you're going to go tonight. My Unfortunately, that's that's our only option, okay? Though the details may be difficult for her to recall, Diane seems to remember that something happened to George. You never hurt him. I never hurt him. What? NO. NO. NO. NO. WHY YOU COME MESS UP MY MY HANDS? I didn't hurt him. Diane, your hands are like that already. I didn't hurt him. Yeah, you hurt him. How much How much did I hurt him? Well, there was quite a bit of blood. Oh my god. He's going to be just I didn't I didn't do that. >> He's going to be just fine, okay? Well, I hope so. He's going to be just fine. Oh. Oh god. That wasn't me. What did I hit him with? A hammer. As they continue the journey to the detention facility, Diane goes through a variety of emotions. Please don't don't make me go up there. I'll die here. No, you won't. I will. No. I'm not I'm not bad. LET ME SEE MY HUSBAND. MY MY HUSBAND IS WONDERFUL. I KNOW. WHAT DID I hit him with? A hammer. Oh. A hammer. A hammer? Oh my god. The deputy also works through his own emotions about the tragic situation. Worst day ever. Worst day ever when I hit that. Yep. Oh god. Good. Probably. I'm going to say whatever I can to keep you calm. I don't know what I did. I don't You want me to roll down your window? No, I can't my arms are You WANT ME TO? NO. DON'T DO THAT. OKAY. I CAN'T STAND THAT. I JUST ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW. THAT'S ALL. >> NOT ROLL DOWN NOTHING. I DID. WELL, put it back up. I'm sorry. I I did I did. I just pushed the button to roll it down. I thought you might like some air. I CAN'T STAND IT IN HERE. OKAY. PLEASE, give me some water. Give me a little water. Stop hitting my cage. GIVE ME SOME WATER. We're here. Just calm down a minute. Despite the rising tensions, Diane arrived at the Santa Rosa County Detention Facility and was transferred into the care of jail staff without further incident. According to news sources, Diane was held at the Santa Rosa County Jail for 10 days before being released to a memory care facility in Navarre. The state chose not to prosecute her. According to an obituary, just 3 months after this tragic incident, Diane Collins passed away on September 4th, 2025 and is survived by her three children and husband, George. If you'd like to see select new videos early and help us keep uncovering case files that rarely come to light, you'll find extra footage and unseen details on our Patreon. 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