LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An Oldham County man has been arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing death of a 79-year-old Fern Creek woman, in February.
Louisville Metro Police arrested Mark Rudolph, 29, on Friday a spokesperson said, in the death of Bettie Collins.
While conducting a welfare check on Collins Feb. 12, police found Collins stabbed to death in her home near in the 10000 block of Chenoweth Vista Way.
Rudolph has been charged with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and tampering with physical evidence.
Police said the murder took place on or about Feb. 6 or Feb. 7.
Investigators tied Rudolph to Collin's death after he was captured on surveillance video Feb. 7 in possession of the car registered to Collins, according to court documents, near the 4500 block of Bardstown Road.
Police go on to allege Rudolph abandoned Collins' car in the area before taking another victim's car and driving off from the scene.
Police attempted to reach out to Collins' about her car but got no response. That's when the welfare check was carried out and the 79-year-old was found dead inside her home, having suffered multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, back and left hand.
Later, during a search of Collins' abandoned car, police recovered two bloody kitchen knives.
Police said they collected Rudolph's DNA, and found "very strong support" in a report that his DNA matches that of the DNA collected on the knives, as well as inside Collin's home.
Rudolph appeared in court for an arraignment hearing Saturday, where a judge set his cash bond at $750,000.
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