Man accused of bank robbery confesses to murder, prosecutors say
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A man accused of a Cincinnati bank robbery confessed to a murder during his post-arrest interview, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors say 44-year-old James Courtney, of North Bend, was arrested for robbing a bank of more than $1,000 back in December.
Courtney has now been indicted on murder charges.
Prosecutors say Courtney confessed to killing a family friend on December 1, 2025, the very same day they say that he robbed the bank.
A body was found at an address on Hamilton Cleves Road, they said.
911 calls reveal what happened when a friend found 66-year-old Russell McCollum unresponsive in his home.
“‘911 what’s the location of your emergency?’ ‘I walk in on my buddy and he’s laying on the floor bleeding and he’s not breathing...oh my God’”
“Please hurry, bring ambulance, I’m think I’m going to f*****g have a heart attack.”
FOX19 NOW has requested the autopsy report but the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office says it’s not complete.
According to court records, Courtney is set to appear in Monday morning for his arraignment on murder charges.
This story has been updated with the correct sources.
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