Colon’s Murderer Receives 30-Year Sentence
Chelci Chisolm received 20 years for voluntary manslaughter and 10 years for two counts of obstruction of justice for the murder of Marlene Colon.
Sasha Heller is the Web Editor and Copy Editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times
Chelci Chisholm has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2021 murder of Marlene Colon, a popular local Zumba instructor and fixture in the Atlanta Jewish community.
The judge’s sentencing breaks down as follows: 20 years for voluntary manslaughter; and 10 years for two counts (five years each) of obstruction of justice.
Chisholm, an Israeli native who is also known as Malka Padalon, had been renting a room in Colon’s home at the time of the murder.
According to the court, Chisholm will serve the first 18 years in prison with the balance suspended. Sandy Springs police had reported that when “officers arrived, they encountered the woman suspect in the garage holding an object and challenging officers,” which is why the dual obstruction of justice charges were included in the sentencing.
A group of nearly 20 family members and friends of Colon were in attendance at the sentencing. Marieli Colon, Marlene’s daughter-in-law, and mother of Marlene’s only grandchildren, shared in her victim impact statement, “Marlene was a powerhouse. She was dynamic and full of energy. She was a ball of fire. She was not like anyone else, she was unique, eccentric, she was full of life … She donated her time and skills at many assisted living communities and at the Jewish Community Center. Marlene wanted to help people improve their quality of life. Ironically, and most tragically, it was her kindness and overly generous nature that would lead to her death.”
Marieli continued that Marlene’s biggest source of pride were her grandchildren and that Marlene was cheering at her grandson, Matthew’s, tennis match just two days before her horrific murder.
Marlene’s son, Jonathan, in his victim impact statement, remembered his mother fondly.
“My mom … had a welcoming, warm heart as a pillar of our community, by opening her home to people in need, which ultimately cost her, her life,” Jonathan Colon said. In his statement, he condemned Chisholm for her actions and reminded the courtroom of the void now left in this family’s lives.
“She took my mom, a friend, a fitness instructor, and a unique, fun personality from us all. It has left a hole in our hearts which will never be filled,” he said. “This traumatic, horrific event is truly something we will never get over and we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.”
Colon’s granddaughter, Julianne, as part of her bat mitzvah project last September in a touching tribute to her late grandmother, donated 20 backpacks filled with toys, art supplies, and more to the Sandy Springs Police Department. The backpacks — nicknamed “Nana’s Bags” — will be given to children experiencing traumatic events. Sandy Springs PD officials thanked Julianne on Facebook for her donation, posting, “Julie chose a project that will help children going through hard times, while at the same time, honoring her grandmother.”
During her D’var Torah speech at her bat mitzvah, Julianne explained how Marlene’s love of giving inspired the backpack donation project.
“Every time my grandmother would come for a visit, she would bring me, my brother, or even my friends a tote bag full of stuff. This included fidgets, stuffed animals, stickers, bubbles, candy, and anything that she thought would make me happy,” Julianne said. “Unfortunately, tragedy knocked on her door, and G-d was unable to save her.”
While the family will never be able to fully recover from the loss of their matriarch, Jonathan Colon said the sentencing did bring a sense of closure.
“As a family, this is a huge burden off our shoulders,” he said. “We are very relieved that this horrific chapter of our lives can be closed.”
Loren Colon echoed his brother’s sentiments, adding, “A part of our lives will remain broken forever, but it’s time to start a new chapter while still honoring her memory.”
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