The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to follow up on leads in the death investigation of Tranum McLemore.
As previously reported, McLemore, 35, was a coach at Blountstown Middle School who died from three gunshot wounds at his Bristol home the night of April 4 following an alleged dispute with his wife. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office quickly ruled the death a suicide. FDLE investigated and determined the death could not be ruled a suicide or homicide.
Last month, research by The County Record revealed Michael Collins, 41, lied to FDLE investigators during a July 16 interview.
Collins admitted to being involved with McLemore’s wife, Winter, since January, however, he told authorities he was not in Liberty County the night of April 4, but in Milton on business with the Department of Health. As previously reported, travel vouchers indicated he had returned to Bristol that evening.
After copies of the hotel receipt and travel voucher were turned over to FDLE, Collins contacted investigators and said he wanted to clarify his original statement. Collins told FDLE Sept. 13 he had not lied about his whereabouts on April 4, but had misquoted the information based upon the records of his weekly planner. Collins, who was supposed to be in Milton from April 1-4 to observe classes at Pace High School, provided additional false information to investigators, stating he was able to recall that the Teen Outreach class for Apr. 4 had been cancelled, but he had attended the class on Apr. 2 and 3. Inspector Tom McGraw learned there was no class at Pace on April 2 due to a teacher planning day. A witness said Collins walked into the school that morning, then left. Collins was present April 3 and part of the morning April 4, but class was not cancelled as Collins indicated.
Collins said he returned to work at DOH in Chipley the afternoon of Apr. 4, then returned home. However, another girlfriend told authorities he spent the entire afternoon with her. During the evening hours, Collins’ wife said she recalled him being home, but he may have left to get gas.
