LOUISIANA — Sheriff Newell Normand announces the arrest of Donnie London, B/M, 60, of 59215 River West Drive, Plaquemine LA. On Saturday, April 7, 1984, the body of 73 year-old Edna Kolman was discovered in vacant a lot near 318 Monticello Avenue in Jefferson LA. Ms. Kolman died as a result of asphyxia and strangulation. She also suffered traumatic injuries while being sexually assaulted.
Ms. Kolman was first reported missing to the JPSO on April 6, 1984. Investigators believed Ms. Kolman was accosted and taken to the location where she was discovered, sexually assaulted and murdered. At the time of Ms. Kolman’s death, she resided at 916 Monticello Avenue in Jefferson. She did not drive, but was often seen by neighbors walking throughout the neighborhood. The investigation stalled after all leads were exhausted.
Periodically, reviews are conducted on unsolved murders in order to determine if new information may be available. Subsequently, on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, Captain Dennis Thornton learned our Crime Lab developed a DNA genetic profile from evidence collected in this investigation. A DNA Laboratory report confirmed a CODIS match exists between Donnie London and a piece of evidence collected from the victim for testing. Based on these findings, Captain Thornton began searching data bases in hopes of locating Donnie London. At the time of Ms. Kolman’s murder, investigators determined Donnie London resided at 1237 General Ogden Street in New Orleans. The murder scene on Monticello and London’s address were close in proximity to each other.
Further research on Donnie London revealed he was currently confined to a nursing home in Plaquemine Parish. London’s mobility was severely restricted and he was also bedridden. Based on the DNA findings, Captain Thornton authored an arrest warrant on January 16, 2016 for the arrest of Donnie London.
On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, Captain Thornton and Sergeant Jeffery Rodrigue traveled to the Plaquemine nursing home where they placed Donnie London under arrest. London was advised of his rights at which time he provided a confession. London told investigators he first saw Ms. Kolman walking near an open lot in the 300 block of Monticello Avenue on the date of her murder. He stated he approached her with the intent to rob her, however, when Ms. Kolman resisted the robbery attempt, he escalated the violence by raping and killing her. With the assistance of medical personnel, London was transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center where he was booked with First Degree Murder in the death of Edna Kolman.
Donnie London has an extensive criminal history with 11 felony arrests consisting of: attempted aggravated rape, forcible rape, aggravated burglary, several simple burglary arrests, and numerous narcotics violations. London has convictions for simple burglary, possession of stolen things, a narcotics offense and aggravated battery.
