murders in greeley, colorado murders in greeley, colorado

The 2019 crime rate in Greeley, CO is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is comparable to the U.S. average. GREELEY, CO - JAN. 28: University of Northern Colorado junior Hannah Simental dribbles around Northern Arizona's Regan Schenck during the Bears' basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Greeley. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. She cherished life and those in it! During his interview with a detective, Vallejos made statements about Jesus Christ, Sophia, Mexicans, Mormons, magnets and politics, records said. The Weld County Coroners Office on Thursday publicly identified the three people killed in a suspected murder-suicide over the weekend in Greeley. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. When officers arrived, they found Vega's glasses in the parking lot and blood on the sidewalk in front of the business. Officers said Vallejos threw a brick through the window of the Greeley Church of Latter Day Saints and went inside. Following extradition from Idaho, Pankey made his first appearance in a Colorado courtroom in Greeley on October 30, 2020.[24]. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Their father began to worry and called police. Later, police said he referred to his right arm as the one that kills people. Despite the increase, the local homicide rate of 4.8 per 100,000 people remains below the national rate of 6.5 per 100,000. Officers found the hatchet on a couch in the dining area but found no one inside the business or in the area of the parking lot, records said. [21], The police announced that Pankey had long been a person of interest in the case. The jury voted to convict Pankey on a single misdemeanor count of making false statements to police, but was unable to come to a unanimous verdict on the kidnapping and murder charges. At his son's funeral, Hicks reportedly heard Pankey say, "I hope God didn't allow this to happen because of Jonelle Matthews. Now The Family Seeks Her Killer", "Former Idaho gubernatorial candidate charged with killing girl, 12, who vanished in 1984", "25 years after Greeley girl vanished, no clues", "Greeley PD taking a new look Jonelle Matthews case", "Three decades after she disappeared from her Greeley home, memories of Jonelle Matthews remain", "Remains Found in Weld County Identified", "Remains of Jonelle Matthews dug up by work crew 34 years after she vanished, Greeley police sayThen 12-year-old disappeared after middle school Christmas concert", "Man Charged With Murder in 1984 Killing of Colorado Girl Taken From Home", "Former candidate for ID governor investigated in 1984 Colorado cold case killing", "Steve Pankey, Person Of Interest In Jonelle Matthews Case, Hopes Girl's Killer Is Found", "Suspect Steven Pankey Appears In Greeley Court In Jonelle Matthews 1984 Murder Case", "Mistrial declared on murder, kidnapping charges in Jonelle Matthews caseSteve Pankey was accused of killing Jonelle Matthews in 1984. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. Pankey pleaded not guilty for those crimes . If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. He left in and out of the frame several times and moved the hatchet back to the counter before placing the folded paper into his backpack. Randy Baker had already been through hard times and was fighting for his life when he was shot dead just inside his Greeley, Colorado home in June 2017. Seconds later, he was back in the frame without the hatchet. During this time, Vega put things away and cleaned up the counter. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. Upon arrival, officers found the victim on the floor of the garage while two witnesses were providing help to the severely injured man. A wanted 34-year-old man is facing charges for first-degree assault and attempted murder after a late night hangout ended in a stabbing and severe injuries late last month in Evans. [5], Jonelle Matthews was born at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, on February 9, 1972, to 13-year-old Terri Vierra. The incident angered Shawna greatly, and authorities discovered that she had been sending threatening messages to Ignacio and Heather for quite some time. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. Introduction. The 2019 Greeley crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. / CBS Colorado. but it can also be stressful. Big Sky Tournament: UNC men's, women's basketball have tough road in Boise. Surprisingly, the killer was dressed in a black robe and was hiding their face with a grim reaper mask. The. On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, police in Twin Falls, Idaho, searched Pankey's condo under a warrant that stated investigators had probable cause to believe that Pankey abducted and murdered Jonelle. [16] She appears in the International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons' database. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. Her remains were found this week", "Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) Greeley CO, 1984", "Remains ID'd as those of Colorado girl missing 34 years", "Idaho Man Convicted in 1984 Murder of 12-Year-Old Colorado Girl", "After haunting Colorado for three decades, there is new hope in the Jonelle Matthews case", "Jonelle Matthews discovery provides closure for family, but new chapter is only just begun", "Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)COLD CASE FILESJonelle Matthews", "Greeley girl's disappearance still a mystery after 25 years", "Colorado girl's disappearance still a mystery", "Jonelle Matthews disappearance anniversary: Timeline of events", "After 30 Years, They've Found Jonelle Matthews. He cut a cover off a couch inside the shop, wrapped her body in the cover, put her in the backseat of her own vehicle and drove away, the affidavit states. 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Police responded to the convenience store and found the victim, later identified as Vega, deceased at 10:59 p.m. Vallejos was eventually found walking near the convenience store with the victim's car keys and a single sheet of paper. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. Before calling police, a worker saw video surveillance and noticed the place looked like a mess. About 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Greeley police responded to a home in the 4900 block of 23rd Street Road, where they found three people shot dead: Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Kraus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. The video shows Vallejos sexually assaulting Vega. Pankey repeatedly claimed to have knowledge of the crime and had asked "for immunity in exchange for information". She found it on the job, working as a 911 dispatcher, and falling in love with Sheriff's deputy Ken Nelson. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Greeley, Colorado (CO): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. Shawna Louise Buntz Nelson (pictured, left) was always looking for love. According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance cameras showed Vallejos enter Noco Nutrition at 5:36 p.m. with a backpack over his shoulder. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) Officers found a body outside a Greeley home shortly after midnight Saturday. Firearms sales soared, and tens of millions of new guns proliferated across communities nationwide. She was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. Police found Vallejos backpack in the front seat of the car. [21] He was held without bail at the Ada County Jail in Boise until he was extradited to Colorado. Weld District Court Judge Julie Hoskins handed down a mandatory life sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections Thursday morning to 67-year-old Jesus Romero. Greeley Police Department arrested 26-year-old Andrew Sweatt, who police say admitted to the shooting at a home in the 900 block of 4th Avenue on Thursday night. She was found dead in her car after she went missing from her place of work at NOCO Nutrition. Her father arrived home at 9:30 PM and found the garage door open, but no one was in the house. All data in this story is at the metro area level from the FBI. Internal Affairs, a podcast spinoff from the long-running news program Dateline NBC, is correspondent Josh Mankiewicz's six-episode exploration of a Colorado crime: the 2007 murder in Greeley of . First published on August 30, 2022 / 1:01 PM. Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and sexual assault. [10] At 8:15 PM, Jonelle arrived home in Greeley, Colorado, after getting a ride from her friend, DeeAnna Ross, and DeeAnna's father. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. [7][8][9] Her father was at his other daughter's basketball game[9] and her mother had traveled out of state to be with Jonelle's ill grandfather. The affidavit says that as officers approached, Vallejos said something to the effect of "Yeah, I'm your guy.". Afterward, Vallejos took Vega's car keys and pulled her car closer to the business's front door. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. She had goals and loved adventures! The jury found him guilty on a charge of false reporting", "Steve Pankey's Defense Poses Theory That Another Man Killed Jonelle Matthews In 1984", "Steve Pankey found guilty of kidnapping, felony murder in Jonelle Matthews case", "Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Jonelle Matthews' 1984 Murder", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Jonelle_Matthews&oldid=1140455492, December 1984 events in the United States, Pages using infobox person with multiple organizations, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Member of Sunny View Church of the Nazarene and Franklin Middle School Choir, Jennifer Mogensen (sister), Terri Vierra-Martinez (biological mother), This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 04:04. He said they were planning to leave town the next day for a Christmas visit with family members in Big Bear Lake, California, and had already loaded their car. "[13], Jennifer Mogensen, Jonelle's older sister, said her family experienced "some closure" when they learned that Jonelle was murdered and she considers Pankey's arrest "another gift to our family". Eyewitnesses present on the scene mentioned that the figure was dressed in a dark robe and had a Grim Reaper mask on their face to conceal their identity completely. The police arrived at 10:15 PM and found footprints in the snow, indicating that someone had been looking in the windows. [9] The phone call was the last time anyone was known to have spoken with Jonelle. His bond was set to $100,000. Lets delve into the details surrounding the crime and find out more, shall we? Jonelle's shoes and shawl were near a heater in the family room, a place she often sat. The spike in homicides came during a tumultuous year. Based on DNA evidence, the Weld County Coroner's Office positively identified the remains as being those of Jonelle Matthews. On Thursday, the coroners office identified them as Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Karus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. A little after 10:30 p.m., police found Vega's vehicle a little over a mile away, near 71st Avenue and 20th Street. Murders A-Z is a collection of true crime stories that take an in-depth look at both little-known and infamous murders throughout history. "The incident remains under investigation by the Greeley Police Department, which will provide further information as it becomes available," Chief Deputy Coroner Joey Weiner said. Greeley resident Leandra Walker never met Vega or her family, but she left flowers and a poem at the store. About 7:52 p.m. Friday, a caller reported to Greeley police that 22-year-old Angie Vega never returned home after working an evening shift at NOCO Nutrition, a health drink bar in the 1990 block of 59th Avenue. The man saw signs of someone being dragged as well as surveillance footage showing someone taking Vega. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. Police continue to investigate the shooting. Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event. [21] In 2008, Pankey's son was murdered. Jonelle was adopted in March 1972 by James "Jim" and Gloria Matthews, a married couple with a daughter, living in Greeley, Colorado. On Oct. 29, 2020, Greeley officers responded to a shooting around 3 a.m. in the 1100 block alley between 11th and 12th streets. At 6:36 p.m., Vallejos followed Vega behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet, the affidavit says. People who knew her described her as a wonderful and kind individual who welcomed everyone with a smile and was always ready to extend a helping hand. If you need anything, we're here," Bowie said. In a matter of three days, on October 12, 2020, police arrested Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree murder in Jonelle's case. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. [13] Decades later, Pankey provided investigators with documents concerning this trip, which police said contained "false statements and superfluous details". About 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Greeley police responded to a home in the 4900 block of 23rd Street Road, where they found three people shot dead: Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Kraus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. The victim eventually stopped breathing and his pulse could not be detected, according to Evans police. Weld County Courthouse. Steve Pankey, who twice ran for governor of Idaho, is charged in the 1984 kidnapping and murder of Jonelle Matthews. The case began Feb. 10 when a snowplow driver reported spotting a smoldering log and burned body along Old Flowers and Pingree Park roads about 40 miles west of Fort Collins in Larimer County. The affidavit says he was out of camera view. A news release from the coroners office notes they were family. The last customer left at 6:13 p.m. and drove away at 6:16 p.m. Less than 10 minutes later, at 6:25 p.m., police said that the video shows Vallejos walking away from the table with his backpack but leaving a sheet of paper on the table. Vegas body was inside that car. The victim had a deep laceration from behind his left ear extending to the base of his skull. Pankey's trial began on Thursday, October 14, 2021, ultimately ending in a mistrial on November 4, 2021, due to a hung jury. On surveillance, Vallejos was seen moving her body to the backseat of the vehicle. Paramedics arrived to take the victim to North Colorado Medical Center. The criminal indictment said that he "intentionally inserted himself in the investigation many times over the years claiming to have knowledge of the crime which grew inconsistent and incriminating over time". [21], Pankey's ex-wife, Angela Hicks,[21] said they started their trip on December 22, two days after Jonelle's disappearance. Discuss Greeley, Colorado (CO) on our hugely popular Colorado forum. Officers helped tend to the victims injuries until Evans fire personnel arrived. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. [12][13], The disappearance attracted interest from the public, including the president of the United States and members of Congress. Mar. , Potholes return to Evergreen road known for problems, Students weigh in on school resource officer debate, Suncor to restart plants, expects late March reopening, Assault weapons ban introduced in Colorado, Makar cleared to return from 2nd concussion protocol, Advocates, community urge lawmakers to act on guns, Twins walking in all 50 states for foster kids, 100s march to Capitol, demand tougher gun laws, Denver weather: Pleasant weekend before snow, cold, Suncor issues warning of flares during restart of, Boeing CEO loses $7M bonus, keeps $22.5 million compensation, Bruce Springsteen surprises shop owner before concert, Man faces charges after LoDo fight victim dies, Ramsey house in Boulder on market for $7 million, New to Denver? Pankey and his former wife lived about three miles from the Matthews home and he had been a youth pastor at the church the Matthews family attended. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. Shortly after 8:30 PM, Jonelle answered a phone call and took a message for her father. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Our top 10 tips from residents, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Marcos Vallejos, 24, is being charged with murder in the first degree and sexual assault. [5] [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15 mi (24 km) from her home. He returned seconds later with his right hand covered in blood before going outside to pull Vegas vehicle closer to the business. A customer also told her someone broke into the business and there was blood on the floor. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. We're praying for your family. [14] She was mentioned in the Congressional Record for the United States House of Representatives on April 2, 1985, page 7224. Just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Greeley police were asked to do a well-being check on a family at a home in the 4900 block of 23rd Street Road after concerning text messages were received, a police spokesperson said. Greeley Police arrested Marcos Vallejos in the death of Angie Vega. According to a recent FBI report, there were a total of 21,570. According to court documents, in November, Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, which are both misdemeanors. Vallejos retrieved the piece of paper he left at the table earlier, folded it and placed it at the end of the counter. On the evening of December 20, 1984, Jonelle was performing in a Christmas concert at IntraWest Bank of Denver as a member of Greeley's Franklin Middle School Choir. Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. She was very unique and had a heart of gold! The friend said Vega would take her siblings out to dinner one day a month to spend time with them. [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15mi (24km) from her home. Jan 18, 2022 Updated Jan 18, 2022. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. On September 13, 2019, the Greeley Police Department announced that Steven Dana Pankey, a former Greeley resident who ran for governor in Idaho in 2014 and 2018 and for lieutenant governor in 2010, was a person of interest in Jonelle Matthews' abduction and death. Police arrested a suspect, identified as Marco Vallejos. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. Upon retrial, Pankey was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of Jonelle by a Weld County jury on October 31, 2022. but it can also be stressful. March 3, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. Zachary Miller (Boulder County Sheriff's Office) The Boulder man accused of beating another man to death with a pipe in 2020 was once again ordered to undergo a sanity . As a result, she was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 and still remains behind bars at the Denver Womens Correctional Facility in Denver, Colorado. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools and left millions of Americans out of work. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. Vega's family posted a statement on Facebook that read in part: "Angelica Vega was a Daughter a grand daughter a sister a niece a cousin a friend. With snow on the ground, Jonelle's father thought it unlikely that she would go far without shoes. A Greeley detective accessed the interior video surveillance from NOCO Nutrition. Arrest affidavit reveals timeline of gruesome sexual assault, murder in Greeley, sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. Police said Saturday they were investigating incident as possible murder-suicide, Yellow crime tape blocks off an area. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked into Weld County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and sexual assault. According to the Greeley. [21] In 2018, Pankey had campaigned for the Idaho Republican Party's nomination for the position of governor of Idaho. When officers arrived, the store was in disarray with large amounts of blood found inside. RELATED: 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. Gabriel Faudoa, 34, is facing charges of first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree felony murder, aggravated robbery with a weapon and aggravated vehicle theft. [15] As recently as 2018, Greeley Police had been re-contacting witnesses and applying the latest forensic advances in their investigation. Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby. SHE had dreams! The Moving can be an exciting experience. Randy Baker was killed in 2017. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. Officers found three people dead inside the home. When he arrived at NOCO Nutrition, the worker went inside to find a hatchet and a lot of blood, arrest records said. Jaramillo has several active warrants, but has not been taken into custody for the July 24 stabbing. He said he and his wife were home on the night of Jonelle's disappearance. According to the court documents, the video shows Vallejos going to the counter and speaking to Vega before he sits at a nearby table and shuffles papers in and out of his backpack, drawing and writing on them.