Pair convicted of concealing the death of Tiara Groves, whose case was reclassified by police an 'non-homicidal'

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 11:06:21 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Desmond Collins | Chicago Police

A man and woman charged in connection with the death of Tiara Groves, which was featured in a Chicago Magazine article in 2014, pleaded guilty Monday and were sentenced to time in prison.

Desmond Collins, 39; and Leondra Martin, 31, each pleaded guilty to concealment of a death before Judge Joseph Claps, according to Cook County court records.

They were accused in the death of the 20-year-old Groves, whose body was found in a warehouse in the 4600 block of West Arthington on July 23, 2013. Her death was featured in a Chicago Magazine article focusing on how authorities reclassify homicides and skew crime statistics.

Groves’ death was considered a murder until Dec. 18, 2013, when Chicago Police changed the matter from a homicide investigation to a noncriminal death investigation. However, the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined the cause of death to be homicide by “unspecified means,” according to the magazine story.

Tiara Groves | Facebook

More than a year-and-a-half after the death, Collins and Martin, Groves’ neighbor, were arrested on March 11, 2015.

Martin was caught on surveillance video arguing with Groves at Austin Liquors in Cicero on July 14, 2013, the last day Groves was seen alive, authorities said.

Martin allegedly admitted to detectives that after Groves overdosed, she watched as the body was wrapped in a sheet and driven from a hotel in Cicero to a home, before it was dumped in the warehouse, the Sun-Times previously reported. Her naked, decomposed body was found nine days later.

The medical examiner concluded the cause of death was “undetermined,” but that the manner of death was homicide, based on the condition of the body and the nature of the surroundings where the body was found.

Groves, who had heroin in her system, could have died from a drug overdose, but the medical examiner’s office said it could not rule out asphyxiation.

Leondra Martin | Chicago Police

Claps sentenced Collins to two years in prison, but he will receive credit for 405 days served in the Cook County Jail, according to court records.

He also pleaded guilty to violating the sex offender registry in a separate case, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. The sentences will run concurrently.

Martin was sentenced to 20 months in the Cook County Jail, where she was booked after the hearing, according to court and jail records. She will be given credit for 22 days previously served.

Pair charged in death of woman featured in Chicago Magazine

Michael Lansu — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 18:40:24 -0500

Desmond Collins / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Tiara Groves’ death was featured in a Chicago Magazine article last year, which focused on how authorities reclassify homicides -- which, in turn, skews crime statistics.

The 20-year-old’s family believes she was murdered.

And, indeed, Groves’ death was considered a murder until Dec. 18, 2013, when Chicago Police changed the matter from a homicide investigation to a noncriminal death investigation after the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined the cause of death to be a homicide by “unspecified means,” according to the magazine story.

On Friday, Groves’ neighbor along with a man who goes by the nickname “Wicked” appeared in court to face concealment of death charges tied to the Austin woman’s last days.

“They got away with murder,” Groves’ sister Kenyatta Groves said after Leondra Martin and Desmond Collins’ bond hearing.

Martin was caught on surveillance video arguing with Tiara Groves at Austin Liquors in Cicero on July 14, 2013 -- the last day Groves was seen alive, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Karr said.

Martin allegedly admitted to detectives that after Groves overdosed, she had watched as Groves’ body was wrapped in a sheet and driven from a hotel in Cicero to a home before it was dumped in warehouse, in the 4600 block of West Arthington Street.

Groves’ naked, decomposed body was found nine days later, Karr said.

There was a loosely tied gag tied around Groves’ head and pieces of wire and a piece of skin next to her body, Karr said. A chair with similar wire was near Groves, Karr said.

Collins’ DNA matched the DNA found on the wires and Groves’ fingernails, Karr said.

The Medical Examiner concluded that the cause of death was “undetermined,” but that the manner of death was a homicide based on the condition of the body and the nature of surroundings where the body was found, Karr said.

Groves, who had heroin in her system, could have died from a drug overdose, but the Medical Examiner’s Office also said it could not rule out asphyxiation.

Collins, of the 1500 block of South Tripp Avenue, was arrested Wednesday.

Leondra Martin / Photo from Chicago Police

Martin, who had since moved to Waukesha, Wis., was arrested on a warrant the same day.

Collins, who has several felony convictions, also has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender for a 1995 case in which he tied a 10-year-old girl’s hand to a bedpost before assaulting her, Karr said.

Judge Maria Kuriakos Cecil ordered Collins, 38, held in lieu of $350,000 bond.

Martin, a 30-year-old mother of two, was ordered held in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Groves’ mother and siblings, who were at Friday’s hearing, are upset that Martin and Collins aren’t facing more severe charges.

The family said Groves wasn’t a drug abuser and drank alcohol only for fun.

Although they didn’t know Collins, the family said they knew Martin; they said she had lived next door and always came over to eat.

When Groves disappeared, they said Martin pretended to be concerned.

“She would ask, ‘Did you all find her yet?’ knowing exactly where she was,” Kenyatta Groves said.

Desmond Collins | Homicide Watch Chicago

Pair convicted of concealing the death of Tiara Groves, whose case was reclassified by police an 'non-homicidal'

Pair charged in death of woman featured in Chicago Magazine