Two Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Murdering Woman, 20, and Hiding Her Body Inside a Mattress

More than six years after 20-year-old Mary Collins disappeared, two people convicted in connection with her horrific killing have learned their fate. Lavi Pham, 27, and James Salerno, 26, were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on October 12, 2026, after a jury found them guilty of first-degree murder in a case that shocked North Carolina. Collins was stabbed more than 130 times, and her body was concealed inside a mattress in an apparent attempt to hide the crime.

Collins, who had a cognitive disability and a speech disorder, reportedly believed she was going to spend time with friends when she was taken to an apartment in the Charlotte area in March 2020. Prosecutors said she was lured there under false pretenses by people she knew. Her family became increasingly worried after she disappeared, particularly because they feared she could be vulnerable while away from home.

According to prosecutors, Collins was given drugs during the night in an alleged effort to persuade her to participate in sexual activity with Pham and his girlfriend, Kelly Lavery. Collins refused. Investigators said the situation then escalated into extreme violence. Pham allegedly struck her over the head with a large glass liquor bottle, after which Collins was moved to a bathtub. Prosecutors said Pham, Salerno and Lavery then cut and stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting more than 130 wounds.

The violence did not end with Collins’ death. Prosecutors said those involved attempted to conceal what had happened by cleaning the bathroom and hiding her remains. Her body was wrapped in plastic and garbage bags, secured with multiple layers of duct tape, and placed inside a mattress after its box springs were removed. Investigators said household products were also used in an attempt to mask the odor. The disturbing discovery was made on April 4, 2020, after Collins had been reported missing several days earlier.

The case began to unravel after Salerno reportedly told a witness that he had attended a gathering where Collins was tied up and beaten before being killed and hidden inside the mattress. The investigation eventually led to charges against four people. Pham and Salerno were convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and concealment of death. Salerno was also found guilty of being an accessory after the fact, although the judge dismissed that additional charge following his murder conviction.

During sentencing, the judge described the case as among the most cruel and disturbing matters she had encountered. Collins’ family also spoke in court about the young woman they had lost. Her grandmother, Mia Alderman, emphasized that the brutality of the crime would not define Mary’s life or destroy the family’s love for her. The family’s statements reflected the lasting pain of losing someone they described as a bright presence in their lives.

A third defendant, Kelly Lavery, had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges and received a prison sentence of 25 to 32 years. A fourth person, America Diehl, is scheduled to face trial in December 2026. Attorneys for Pham and Salerno have said they intend to appeal their convictions, maintaining that the men are innocent.

For Collins’ family, the sentences mark a significant step toward accountability, but no verdict can restore the young woman whose life ended at just 20 years old. Her case remains a chilling reminder of how people who appear to be friends can allegedly exploit someone’s trust, leaving a family to endure years of grief while waiting for justice.

Source: PEOPLE