NEW INFORMATION: Suspect confesses to murder of Fernandina Beach dog sitter

Fernandina Beach, FL — Action News Jax has obtained the arrest report for Shawn Whigham, the man investigators say shot and killed popular Fernandina Beach dog sitter, Colleen Potts.

Potts, 73, was found dead inside a home on South 13th Street in October. She didn’t live there. She was watching the homeowner’s dogs.

“She was such a giving person,” Melinda Prevatt, a family friend, said.

According to Whigham’s arrest report, Whigham had visited the house twice prior to the shooting.

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The first time was Friday, October 22. He confessed to stealing $300 from Potts’ car.

The next day, he went inside the home looking for something to steal. No one was there.

The third time was Sunday, October 24. Potts was there that day. Investigators said Whigham admitted he shot Potts, then grabbed her purse and ran.

“Why kill her?” Prevatt questioned. “It’s just senseless.”

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Whigham was arrested Thursday. He’s charged with murder, home invasion robbery, evidence tampering, lying to police, petit theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“We don’t know what transpired, but we are very confident that if he had just asked for whatever he wanted, she would’ve given it to him,” Prevatt added.

Understandably, Prevatt and Potts’ family want justice.

”We want the monster off the street,” she said.

Prevatt says Potts did everything right -- she was always careful about her safety.

”Nanny Colleen was very, very careful. She took all of the precautions that anyone could’ve taken,” Prevatt said. “What more could she have done?”

Police say Whigham is previously charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is currently at the Nassau County Jail.

Prevatt tells Action News Jax a service for Potts is in the works and is set for Jan. 15. The public will be invited. Action News Jax will release more details when we get that information.

If you’d like to donate to the Potts family, click here.

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