Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Aria Armstead

Introduction to the Case The episode titled "Aria Armstead," released on March 23, 2025, delves into the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of Matthew Collins in Lee County, Florida. Hosted by Oxygen, this episode explores the intricate web of relationships and events that led to a tragic outcome.

Background on Matthew Collins Matthew Collins, a 31-year-old resident of Lee County, Florida, originally hailed from Williamstown, New Jersey. After high school, he relocated to Florida, seeking better opportunities and a fresh start. Matthew worked various jobs, including construction and landscaping, but struggled with drug addiction, leading to his arrest in 2014 for burglary and trafficking. After serving a year and a half in prison, he was released in 2016 and made efforts to reform his life.

Disappearance and Initial Investigation On the evening of October 13, 2017, Francesca Sakulich, a 32-year-old medical professional and Matthew's girlfriend, reported him missing after he failed to return home from a supposed trip to get a haircut.

• Francesca Sakulich (03:35): "I'm pregnant with him, Sue. That's my boyfriend. I'm worried."
• Deputy McMenamin (04:22): "Matthew is going to be going to a haircut in Fort Myers off Palm Beach Boulevard from her house to where he went for the haircut."

Despite initial assumptions, Matthew did not return, prompting a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) for his maroon Chrysler 200. Days later, the abandoned car was found in a secluded beachside community, raising suspicions.

Police Discovery and Leads Upon examining the vehicle, investigators found disturbing evidence:

• Forensic Investigator (06:43): "Could see blood all over inside the vehicle. Somebody had been killed inside that vehicle."
• Detective (10:25): "Once we opened the car up, you could definitely tell something had happened."

The presence of blood, a bullet hole in the windshield, and tampered electronics indicated a possible homicide, shifting the investigation from a simple missing person case to a potential murder.

Introduction to Aria Armstead and Nathan Ortiz Investigators traced Matthew’s last movements, leading them to Nathan Ortiz, a 20-year-old with a girlfriend named Aria Armstead, a former beauty pageant contestant.

• Aria Armstead's Friend (28:23): "Aria was a ball of energy at all times... she was giggling and kind of jumping around and wanted to be friends with everyone she met."
• Narrator (30:05): "Aria loved the attention from Nathan and she was giddy to be around him. He would convince her to sneak out of the house."

Aria's background revealed a rebellious streak, influenced by Nathan, leading her away from her participation in beauty pageants and into a tumultuous relationship.

The Incident Leading to Murder On October 12, 2017, the night before Matthew's disappearance, Aria and Nathan encountered Matthew in a heated altercation.

• Francesca Sakulich (35:07): "He pulled a gun out. He said, 'F you, I'm going to take your girlfriend.' I'm freaking out in the back seat... I saw it and I was like, holy."
• Aria Armstead (36:39): "I ended up pulling the trigger."

According to Aria, an argument escalated when Matthew allegedly threatened her with a firearm. In a state of panic, influenced by her pregnancy and emotions, Aria claims she fired the weapon, resulting in Matthew's death.

Arrests and Trial Investigations uncovered inconsistencies in Aria and Nathan's accounts. Crucial evidence, such as deleted text messages and GPS data, implicated Aria directly in the murder.

• Detective (43:24): "Matthew Collins died in a way that somebody else was responsible for it... The person that was responsible for it was in the backseat of that car. The only person in the backseat of that car was Aria Armstead."
• Forensic Investigator (45:13): "Once we booked her in, that's when they had made her do a pregnancy test and learned that she wasn't actually pregnant."

Despite initially hearing Aria's story, detectives found that her claim of being pregnant was fabricated. Aria was charged with first-degree manslaughter, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, while Nathan Ortiz received a lesser sentence for his involvement in disposing of the body.

Conclusions and Aftermath Aria Armstead was sentenced to 40 years in prison with the possibility of parole, while Nathan Ortiz served 42 months. The case underscores the complexities of personal relationships, the impact of past traumas, and the challenges law enforcement faces in uncovering the truth.

• Francesca Sakulich (46:13): "I'm just glad that he got justice. And the people that did it is behind bars."
• Detective (37:33): "What detectives eventually prove shooting a hole in an important detail in Aria's story."

The episode concludes by reflecting on the unanswered questions surrounding Matthew's death and the psychological factors that may have influenced Aria's actions.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of thorough investigation in missing person cases.
• The impact of personal histories and relationships on criminal behavior.
• The role of forensic evidence in uncovering the truth.

Notable Quotes

• Francesca Sakulich (03:35): "I'm pregnant with him... I'm worried."
• Forensic Investigator (06:43): "Somebody had been killed inside that vehicle."
• Aria Armstead (36:39): "I ended up pulling the trigger."
• Detective (43:24): "The person responsible was in the backseat... Aria Armstead."

This episode of "Snapped: Women Who Murder" provides a gripping exploration of Aria Armstead's involvement in Matthew Collins' untimely death, highlighting the intricate dynamics that led to tragedy and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.