Man indicted for murder-for-hire related to body burning and burial
Photo 138415583 © Viorel Margineanu | Dreamstime.com

Man indicted for murder-for-hire related to body burning and burial

December 6, 2025
1 min read

Bibb County, AL – John Wesley Collum, 57, faces a capital murder-for-hire indictment for involvement in the death of Oscar De Santiago Soto, 36. Prosecutors allege Collum participated in killing Soto and disposing of his body along with a 1998 Ford Ranger.

According to court documents, Collum was hired with unidentified accomplices to assist in the murder earlier this year. He is accused of placing Soto’s body in a hole, setting it ablaze, and burying it with a backhoe.

The indictment outlines that Soto’s remains were buried in close proximity to where his vehicle was last seen. Investigators indicate that Soto was driving the Ford Ranger when he went missing on June 18.

Evidence suggests Collum allegedly committed the acts between June 18 and June 27. He is charged with capital murder for pecuniary gain, hindering prosecution, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.

Police have confirmed that another suspect was apprehended, though formal charges remain unreported. Collum is currently held in the Bibb County Jail without bond as he awaits trial set for September 2026. He maintains a not guilty plea.

Shore News Network Staff Report

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.