8-Year-Old Boy Horrifically Set on Fire Leaving ‘Perfect Outline’ on Tree as Killer Finally Exposed Years Later

It has been nearly a decade since Don Collins was convicted of the brutal murder of his neighbor, Robbie Middleton, whose deathbed video exposed the harrowing details of his crime and revealed a disturbing motive. The chilling case dates back to June 28, 1998, when Robbie, then just eight years old, was celebrating his birthday in Splendora, Texas. What should have been a joyful day turned into a nightmare when Collins, then 13, carried out an unthinkable act.

Robbie was walking home after visiting a friend when Collins, fearing Robbie would expose him for allegedly raping him weeks earlier, stopped him in the woods. Armed with gasoline, Collins tied Robbie to a tree, doused him in fuel, and set him on fire. Despite burns covering 99% of his body, Robbie miraculously survived for over a decade, undergoing more than 150 surgeries and countless skin grafts, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

His mother, Colleen, described the devastating moment she found her son: “Her scorched little boy was unrecognizable and would never look the same again.” Only the soles of his feet were spared from the flames. Remarkably, Robbie maintained a positive attitude, often inspiring those around him. “The past is, well, the past. You must let it go,” he once said.

However, Robbie’s injuries took a toll. Growing required new skin grafts, and he was eventually diagnosed with skin cancer caused by the burns. He tragically passed away in April 2011 at the age of 20. Seventeen days before his death, Robbie recorded a 27-minute video naming Don Collins as his attacker. In the emotional video, he revealed: “Don grabbed me by the shoulder and threw gas in my face. After that, I don’t really remember anything.”

Collins, already incarcerated for sexually assaulting another young boy, was charged with felony murder following Robbie’s death. Witnesses testified during the trial, accusing Collins of other sexual assaults and recounting his threats to burn them if they spoke out. Despite pleading not guilty, he was sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison in 2015.

Robbie’s mother, Colleen, expressed relief after the sentencing. “I am sure Robert is with us and he is happy. He blamed Don; there was no doubt in his mind,” she said. While Collins’ actions left an indelible scar on the Middleton family, Robbie’s courage and resilience continue to inspire many.