UNSOLVED, STILL OPEN: Collins still missing 44-years after disappearance

Kathryn “Kathie” Troht Collins went missing Wednesday, April 1, 1981, after failing to return to her parked car in front of the former Shellfish Restaurant on Hwy. 35 after sustaining a flat tire.  Collins was driving a brown 1974 Mercury Capri with Arkansas license plates. 

After leaving her three-year old son with her in laws, Collins left Lolita to go grocery shopping and visit a doctor in Port Lavaca.  Collins’ mother-in-law drove into Port Lavaca and noticed the car on the side of the highway with a flat tire.  After driving around and attempting to find her, Collins’ mother-in-law returned home to Lolita where she told her son about the situation. 

Later that day James Kent Collins called the Port Lavaca Police Department but was advised he needed to wait 24 hours before reporting Collins missing.  On Thursday, April 2, 1981, James made a report and told officers he suspected foul play because of the large amount of cash his wife was carrying. 

Anthony Pustejovsky of Anthony’s Texaco on Hwy. 35, told police that an older couple driving a late model General Motors pickup, came into the station Wednesday night to borrow a jack in order to fix a flat near Shellfish.  Fearing they would not return the equipment, Pustejovsky refused.   

Witnesses described the couple as in their late 50s or early 60s.  The woman was described as big and fairly heavy, wearing a scarf on her head and glasses.  The man, a white male with a tan like he worked outside, wearing a dark green work shirt and work pants.  He also wore glasses with dark brown frames and had short, black, greasy hair.  Reportedly driving a 1970s model Chevrolet pickup, two-toned in color, carrying lawn mowers in the bed of the truck.  One witness noticed three people in the pickup, one wearing yellow, which Collins was wearing when last seen.

At the time of her disappearance, Collins was 29 years old, 5’5 and weighed 125 pounds.  Collins is a Caucasian female with brown hair and brown eyes. Collins also has a small scar on her upper lip.  Nicknamed “Kathie”, she may use the last name Troht, or the maiden name, O’Bryant.

This case remains unsolved and foul play is suspected.  If you have any information on the disappearance of Kathryn “Kathie” Troht Collins, please contact Calhoun County Crime Stoppers at 361-552-2274.  All tips are anonymous.