‘I just thought I could pull this off’: Indiana man facing eviction allegedly killed landlord, then drank bleach
07/30/2026 1:10 pm PDT
COLUMBUS, Ind. (TCN) -- A 49-year-old man reportedly in the process of being evicted is accused of killing his landlord and placing his body in a trash can.
According to the Columbus Police Department, officers were called to a duplex on July 21 to perform a welfare check on the property’s landlord, 89-year-old Jerrell McCollough.
According to court documents obtained by WTHR, officers conducting the welfare check also located Rudy Minton, who lived in the duplex. He allegedly told officers he had just consumed bleach, and then allegedly said McCullough was in a trash can in his house when officers asked about McCollough’s whereabouts.
The body in the trash tote was face-down, according to WTHR, and there appeared be blunt-force trauma to the head and face. Minton allegedly had blood on his glasses and bruises and scratches possibly caused by a struggle. Minton allegedly told officers, “I just thought I could pull it off. I’m sorry.” He was taken to a hospital to be treated for the alleged bleach consumption.
The following morning, the body was identified as belonging to McCollough. His cause and manner of death were not identified, according to police, and a forensic autopsy was ordered.
On July 22, Minton was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder and booked into jail, according to police. WTHR reports that an investigation uncovered recently filed eviction proceedings at the duplex’s address. WXIN reports McCollough’s son confirmed his father was in the midst of evicting Minton.
According to police, Minton is being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing.
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