Christopher Collings set to be executed for 2007 murder of Rowan Ford

KSNF/KODE — The man convicted of sexually assaulting and strangling 9-year-old Rowan Ford from southwest Missouri will be put to death tonight.

Christopher Collings' fate was sealed yesterday when the US Supreme Court denied an appeal and Missouri Governor Mike Parson denied a clemency request.

Christopher Collings awaits execution at the Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center here in Bonne Terre, Missouri.

Collings was convicted in 2012 of the 2007 rape and murder of nine-year-old Rowan Ford, someone that she called 'Uncle Chris' due to his tight connection to the family.

Several people worked on investigating that crime, including current Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings, who told us this is a day he feels is a long time in coming.

"I mean, I personally believe it's many years too late. This was the most horrendous case I have worked on my entire career. I was hoping the state would come while I was still in office. I put in a request to attend the execution. I felt like it was the right thing to do for Rowan," said Chris Jennings, Newton County Sheriff.

Again, Collings is scheduled to be executed at 6:00 this evening by lethal injection in Bonne Terre.

We'll have the latest for you as it becomes available.