John Collins, a former Orillia real estate agent, has been committed to trial on first-degree murder in the killing of a woman in Collingwood.
Kinga ‘Kay’ Kriston, 55, was found dead in her home in Georgian Meadows on June 10 of 2022. Both were working as realtors in Collingwood at the time.
The discovery of the self-described “adventure seeker (and) philanthropist” prompted an outpouring of sympathy while a vigil at Sunset Point drew a crowd, including the town’s acting mayor.
“She was taken far too soon,” said Acting Mayor Keith Hull, who addressed the crowd at the start of the vigil on June 14, 2022. “We will watch the sun go down and remember Kay, however we may have known her.”
Lisa Green told the crowd she met Kriston when she became a realtor with Sutton Group about five years ago.
“She was like a kid in a candy store,” recalled Green, remembering all the activities Kriston would finish before 10 a.m. — grocery shopping, swimming in the bay, shooting some local photos, taking a hike, and more. “She loved meeting new people and she took full advantage of the region.”
Kriston, a mother of a teenage girl, was described as an outdoor enthusiast who embraced her community.
A GoFundMe campaign raised $28,752 with the goal of creating a memorial where people could gather in her memory.
John Collins, who is now 58, was accused in her killing and charged with first-degree murder.
Collins appeared in provincial court this week where he was committed to trial for first-degree murder.
He is scheduled to appear in the Superior Court of Justice in Barrie next month for a judicial pre-trial. Trial dates have not yet been set.
-- With files from Erika Engel
