THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WEEK. FORMER CARETAKER MADE HER FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT FOR THE DEATH OF A MAN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY WHO WAS IN HER CARE, 59 YEAR OLD RICHARD MCCLINTOCK WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENT AFTER HE WAS REPORTED MISSING BACK IN OCTOBER 2015. KCRA 3’S CECIL HANNIBAL IS LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM RIGHT NOW. AFTER TALKING WITH THE VICTIM’S FAMILY, CECIL. RIGHT NOW, THEY SAY THEY WANT JUSTICE FOR A MAN THEY SAY WAS FIERY AND FULL OF ENERGY, WHO NEVER LET HIS CONDITION HOLD HIM BACK FROM LIVING A FULL LIFE INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE WAS CUT SHORT BY A WOMAN HIRED TO SUPPORT HIM. 41 YEAR-OLD CHRISTINA COLLINS WAS ARRAIGNED TODAY ON MURDER AND FELONY WHERE WHERE WELFARE FRAUD CHARGES A SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED ON THURSDAY LED POLICE TO FIND THE REMAINS OF RICHARD MCCLINTOCK INSIDE HIS OWN APARTMENT, ALLOWED TO SHOW THE DEFENDANT’S FACE IN COURT. BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FAMILY OF RICHARD GOT SOME SENSE OF CLOSURE. THEY SAY THIS ALL STARTED MONTHS AGO, WHEN THEY COULDN’T GET IN CONTACT WITH RICHARD. FAMILY SAYS THEY TRIED TO GO TO HIS APARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES, CALLED THE POLICE BUT COULD NEVER GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM. ONLY HIS IN-HOME CARETAKER, CHRISTINA COLLINS. HIS NEPHEW, SAYS THEY BELIEVE SHE WENT AS FAR AS SENDING MESSAGES TO FAMILY MEMBERS PRETENDING TO BE HIM. RIGHT NOW, THEY SAY THEY ARE HURT THAT SOMEONE HIRED TO HELP HIM IS NOW THE MAIN SUSPECT IN HIS DEATH. WE WEREN’T GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM HIM, SO MY AUNT SHELLEY, SHE WENT OVER TO HIS APARTMENT, KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND THERE WAS NO ANSWER. ALL OF A SUDDEN. THEN WE STARTED GETTING TEXT MESSAGES FROM HIS FACEBOOK ACCOUNT. I GOT ONE MESSAGE FROM HIS PHONE, FROM HIS PHONE, AND IT KIND OF JUST DIDN’T ADD UP. AND THERE WAS THINGS THAT HIS APARTMENT THAT WERE OUT OF PLACE. SO SHE WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THE CARETAKER WOULD NOT LET HER SEE OR WOULD NOT LET HER SEE. RICHARD, WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO JUSTICE FOR OUR UNCLE. COURT RECORDS ALSO SHOW CHRISTINA COLLINS WAS ARRAIGNED ON FELONY EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES BACK IN JULY. IT’S UNCLEAR IF THESE TWO CASES ARE RELATED IN COURT. COHEN’S COURT ATTORNEY, COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY ASKED FOR A CONTINUATION. NEXT TIME WE EXPECT TO SEE HER BACK IN COURT IS NOVEMBER 24TH
Sacramento caretaker charged with murder in death of man with cerebral palsy
Sacramento caretaker charged with murder in death of man with cerebral palsy
Updated: 9:07 PM PST Nov 10, 2025
Christina Cowens, 41, appeared in court Monday facing murder and fraud charges after police discovered the remains of Richard McClintic, a 59-year-old man with cerebral palsy, in his apartment last Thursday.McClintic’s family, who had been left in the dark for over a month, is mourning the loss of a man described as a loving and fiery sports fanatic.”It’s tough, it’s frustrating,” said his nephew, Ryan Klagenberg. The family said they knew something was wrong after McClintic’s sister died, and they couldn’t get in contact with him. “My aunt Shelly went over to his apartment, knocked on the door, and there was no answer. All of a sudden, then we started getting text messages from his Facebook account,” a family member said. They described the messages as unusual, and when they returned that same night, the family claims Cowens would not let them see Richard.The family requested a welfare check on Oct. 25, but Sacramento police did not find McClintic in the apartment. Nearly two weeks later, police discovered his remains after obtaining a warrant to search the apartment. Cowens was initially arrested for unlawful disposal of human remains, grand theft, and attempt to conceal a death. She is now charged with murder and making fraudulent claims to an officer. “To know that someone is capable of doing this to a disabled person in my uncle’s condition is just outrageous,” said Ryan Klagenberg.Her attorney requested a continuation, and Cowens will return to court on Nov. 24. Court records also show Cowens was arraigned on felony embezzlement charges in July, though it is unclear if the two cases are related.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Christina Cowens, 41, appeared in court Monday facing murder and fraud charges after police discovered the remains of Richard McClintic, a 59-year-old man with cerebral palsy, in his apartment last Thursday.
McClintic’s family, who had been left in the dark for over a month, is mourning the loss of a man described as a loving and fiery sports fanatic.
“It’s tough, it’s frustrating,” said his nephew, Ryan Klagenberg.
Hearst Owned
Richard McClintic
The family said they knew something was wrong after McClintic’s sister died, and they couldn’t get in contact with him.
“My aunt Shelly went over to his apartment, knocked on the door, and there was no answer. All of a sudden, then we started getting text messages from his Facebook account,” a family member said.
They described the messages as unusual, and when they returned that same night, the family claims Cowens would not let them see Richard.
The family requested a welfare check on Oct. 25, but Sacramento police did not find McClintic in the apartment.
Nearly two weeks later, police discovered his remains after obtaining a warrant to search the apartment.
Cowens was initially arrested for unlawful disposal of human remains, grand theft, and attempt to conceal a death. She is now charged with murder and making fraudulent claims to an officer.
“To know that someone is capable of doing this to a disabled person in my uncle’s condition is just outrageous,” said Ryan Klagenberg.
Her attorney requested a continuation, and Cowens will return to court on Nov. 24. Court records also show Cowens was arraigned on felony embezzlement charges in July, though it is unclear if the two cases are related.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel