3 Charged With Murder Of Missing 20-Year-Old Charlotte Woman

CHARLOTTE, NC — Days after publically asked for the community's help locating a missing 20-year-old Charlotte woman with a cognitive disability, police say they have now charged three with her murder.

Friday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Mary Collins was last seen on Burnley Road around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and was believed to have traveled to the NoDa area to meet with friends.

Collins was reported missing by a concerned family member on March 30 around 11 p.m., CMPD said.

"Family says Collins is diagnosed with a cognitive disability, and they are concerned for her safety," CMPD said.

On April 4, one day after making the plea to the community, police received tips that led detectives to find the body of a deceased woman located in the 700 block of Rollerton Road.

"While the CMPD is awaiting positive identification from the Medical Examiner’s Office, the deceased female appears to be Mary Collins, who was reported missing on March 30, 2020," CMPD said in a statement Monday.

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During the course of the investigation, detectives identified James Salerno, 19; Lavi Pham, 21; and Kelly Lavery, 24, as suspects in the case. They were transported to CMPD headquarters and, after an interview with investigators, were transferred to the Meckelnburg County Sheriff's Office.

Salerno, Pham and Lavery were each charged with kidnapping and murder.

CMPD said that anyone with information about this case is asked to call CMPD detectives at 704-432-TIPS, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.