Nebraska Woman Says Ex-Boyfriend Beat and Strangled Her, Then Lay Beside Her Thinking She Was Dead

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — A Nebraska woman says she survived a horrific beating, strangulation, and kidnapping at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, who later lay beside her bloodied body believing she was dead before allegedly trying to blow up the home with them both inside.

The victim, 42-year-old Jesserae Beck, told KOLN that her ex, Christopher Collins, 36, snapped into a violent rage after she brought him a home-cooked meal to his residence on the night of September 24.

“It was like he snapped into a completely different realm,” Beck said. “I couldn’t fathom what was going through his head. I just knew I needed to buy as much time as I could so nothing bad happened to me.”

‘He Thought I Was Dead’: Victim Recalls Waking Up Bloodied and Bruised

Beck said she had lost consciousness during the assault and awoke hours later inside a rental property Collins owned — her body covered in bruises and blood.

“He actually thought I was dead,” she recalled. “I woke up in a completely different house, and he wasn’t expecting me to wake up, I think was the thing.”

Collins reportedly told Beck that her injuries were “really bad this time” and asked her not to look at her face. She said they spent hours sitting together in bed, during which Collins allegedly begged her to slit his throat.

When she refused, he allegedly threatened to kill her and then himself.

“He said, ‘Well, then I’ll kill you and then I’ll kill myself,’” Beck recounted. “He had zero intention of both of us making it out.”

Domestic Violence History and Lifted Protection Order

According to court records, Collins was out on bond for a prior assault case involving Beck, including charges of strangulation. Despite that, a protective order was lifted on September 24 — the same day she decided to visit him.

Beck said she had hoped to “make peace” by bringing him food. Instead, she said, he pummeled her, kidnapped her, and held her hostage overnight.

Police say Collins is now facing charges of kidnapping, terroristic threats, and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

SWAT Team Found Gas-Filled House and Brutal Scene

The following day, law enforcement officers, including SWAT, stormed the property after receiving reports of a hostage situation.

Beck told KOLN that Collins was attempting to fill the home with natural gas, planning to detonate it while they were both inside.

“He would’ve blown up a couple more houses on top of us,” she said. “So not only would my life have been gone, but somebody else’s innocent lives would have been gone as well.”

When officers entered, they found Beck suffering from a brain bleed, multiple rib fractures, and a broken nose. Collins allegedly tried to strangle her again as SWAT made entry before being subdued and arrested.

“I remember him grabbing a glass bottle of Tito’s and slamming it on my head,” Beck said. “Then he got on top of me, trying to strangle me.”

Investigators found blood splattered across walls and clumps of hair throughout the house. Beck was hospitalized and later released.

‘I Could Be Dead’: Beck Reflects on Surviving the Attack

Beck says she’s now focusing on recovery and speaking out to raise awareness about domestic abuse and second chances that turn deadly.

“It could be worse — I could be dead,” she said. “I’m thankful every day that I’m not.”

Collins remains in custody awaiting trial. His bond status from the earlier case has since been revoked.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for confidential help.

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