The notorious hitman who made a career out of violent murders spread across decades in the underworld has died in custody.
Rodney Collins, who was serving a life sentence for murdering Ramon and Dorothy Abbey in 1987 as their children slept nearby, died in hospital from ‘natural causes’.
The 72-year-old, an associate of infamous gangster Carl Williams, is thought to have lost his life to cancer, taking his dark secrets to the grave, according to the Herald Sun.
Rodney Collins (pictured), who was serving a life sentence for murdering Ramon and Dorothy Abbey in 1987 as their children slept nearby, died in hospital from ‘natural causes’
The 72-year-old (pictured) is thought to have lost his life to cancer, taking his secrets to the grave as he is thought to be behind about nine hits which have gone unsolved
The convicted rapist spent his last years alive in high security cells at Barwon Prison, Victoria, and was associated with some of Australia’s worst criminals including Carl Williams (pictured)
The brutal killer, who was arrested over the double murder in 1987 more than two decades later, is believed to have performed about nine hits with many remaining unsolved.
The criminal’s life was scattered with shootings and riddled with gruesome murders, making him one of Australia’s most infamous killers.
Collins’ was slain gangster Carl Williams’ number one hitman where it is thought he tied up and sliced open Michael Schievella’s throat in 1990 along with the drug dealer’s wife – who he almost beheaded with a knife.
The hardened criminal is thought to have been behind one of Victoria’s highest profiled unsolved murders of police informers Terence and Christine Hodson in 2004 – as ordered by Williams who reportedly paid him $150,000.
The 72-year-old is also believed to be behind the murders of Brian Kane in 1982, Raymond Bennett in 1979 and underworld lawyer Mario Condello in 2006.
The cold blooded murderer, who was not going to be released from prison until 2042 when he was aged in his late 90s, was previously described by police as a ‘deadset natural born killer’ who was a ‘dangerous man’.
The hardened criminal is thought to have been behind one of Victoria’s highest profiled unsolved murders of Terence and Christine Hodson (pictured) in 2004 as ordered by Williams
The 72-year-old is also believed to be behind the murders of Brian Kane in 1982 (left) and criminal Ray Abbey and his wife Dorothy (right) whose throat was slit open in 1987
The convicted rapist spent his last years alive in high security cells at Barwon Prison, Victoria, possibly reflecting on a life flooded with bloodied murders starting at a young age.
Collins was raised by his grandparents at the start of his life before he went back to live with his alcoholic parents in the 1960s – throwing him into a life of crime.
At 14, the youngster left home and got involved with the dark underworld of Richmond gangs where he landed his first conviction before turning 20 and ended his life with dozens more.
The cold killer is also thought to have murdered Mario Condello (pictured) in 2006 in Brighton
Condello, a Carlton Crew member, was shot dead at a property in Melbourne’s elite suburb (pictured) more than a decade ago
Notorious hitman’s suspected involvement in unsolved murders
Terry Hodson and wife Christine (pictured) were found tied up and shot in the head in Kew, Victoria
Infamous hitman Rodney Collins had connections to some of the country’s coldest blooded criminals and is believed to be behind several unsolved cases.
2006 – Mario Condello, part of Carlton Crew, shot dead in Brighton
2004 – Terry Hodson and wife Christine tied up and shot in head in Kew, Victoria
1990 – Drug dealer Michael Schievella had throat slit and wife Heather McDonald almost left beheaded
1987 – Shot dead criminal Ray Abbey and his wife Dorothy’s throat was slit
1983 – Patrick Brendan Coughlan shot dead at Reservoir party
1982 – Shot dead Brian Kane in Brunswick, Victoria