Christine Collins

Christine Collins

Christine Ida Collins was an American woman who made national headlines after her nine-year-old son, Walter Collins, went missing in 1928. Her search for the whereabouts of her son was chronicled in the 2008 Clint Eastwood film Changeling. In 1929, Gordon Stewart Northcott was found guilty of abducting, molesting, and killing three young boys in what became known as the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders. Northcott’s mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, confessed in late 1928 to her participation in the murder of Walter Collins among her son’s victims.

About Christine Collins in brief

Summary Christine CollinsChristine Ida Collins was an American woman who made national headlines after her nine-year-old son, Walter Collins, went missing in 1928. Her search for the whereabouts of her son was chronicled in the 2008 Clint Eastwood film Changeling, in which she was portrayed by Angelina Jolie. In 1929, Gordon Stewart Northcott was found guilty of abducting, molesting, and killing three young boys in what became known as the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders.

Northcott’s mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, confessed in late 1928 to her participation in the murder of Walter Collins among her son’s victims. Following her confession, she was sentenced without trial to life imprisonment for her role in Walter’s death. The state chose not to prosecute Gordon Northcott for Walter’s murder and instead brought him to trial for the murders of three other young boys for which there was also forensic evidence.