Somerset, CO Area Cold Cases

Name

Michelle Vanek

Age

35

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On september 24, 2005, 35 year old michelle vanek had come up from denver that morning and left half moon campground around 7:00 a.M. To go hiking. Near the summit of mt. Holy cross, michelle stated she was very tired and her friend told her to wait and he would go to the top and be right back. The friend stated he advised michelle if she wanted to head back down, to follow the trail and he would catch up with her. On his way down, the friend did not locate michelle. He stated he went back up to look for her and had talked to several hikers in the area. All had told him they had not seen her. The friend told deputies that michelle was a tri-athlete, but was an inexperienced high altitude hiker. Deputies were advised michelle was wearing a red shirt and black pants with hiking boots. The friend also advised michelle had approximately 3-4 layers of clothes with her. During the hike, michelle had run out of drinking water at approximately 1:15 p.M., when she stopped to rest. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the eagle county sheriff's office.

Agency

Eagle County Sheriff's Office

Name

Melba Ginther

Age

57

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On monday, may 20, 2002, at around 7:00 pm, melba ginther, 57, was found murdered just off of highway 24 between minturn and leadville at the pando railroad interchange. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to contact the eagle county sheriff's office.

Agency

Eagle County Sheriff's Office

Name

Samuel Rodriguez

Age

35

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Samuel chavez rodriguez was reported missing on april 20, 2019. His car and personal belongings are at his residence. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the eagle police department.

Agency

Eagle Police Department

Name

Harold Young

Age

53

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On august 30, 2004, harold young was reported missing by a co-worker. He was last seen on august 29, 2004 at 1:00 p.M. Mr. Young was depressed over recent events in his life and had made numerous comments stating his desire to end his life. He may be armed. A vehicle associated with this case is a white 1982 ford pickup truck with an extra tall camper. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the gunnison police department.

Agency

Gunnison Police Department

Name

Christopher Harvey

Age

14

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On july 11, 1984, 14 year old christopher harvey disappeared from a summer home 17 miles northwest of pagosa springs, colorado. Mr. Harvey was last seen wearing a brown plaid shirt, blue jeans, and nike hiking shoes. Mr. Harvey was known to wear a western style leather belt with "Chris" on the buckle. (the second image is an age progression image of mr. Harvey at age 36, third image is age-progressed to 42 years). Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the hinsdale county sheriff's office.

Agency

Hinsdale County Sheriff's Office

Name

Patricia Erickson

Age

34

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On may 17 1984, patricia erickson was found shot to death in her bed by her daughter. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the montrose county sheriff's office.

Agency

Montrose County Sheriff's Office

Name

Gerardo Garcia-Miranda

Age

44

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 25, 2004, human remains were discovered in the fg lateral canal near olathe, colorado. The partially decomposed remains were examined by the montrose county coroner's office and the cause of death was determined to be homicide. The remains were later identified as gerardo garcia-miranda, a missing person. Garcia-miranda had been reported missing on september 9, 2004 by his employer. Garcia-miranda's two roommates were identified as persons of interest in the case but interviews with both men revealed no further information. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose county sheriff's.

Agency

Montrose County Sheriff's Office

Name

Dale Williams

Age

42

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

42 year old dale williams was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jeans at a family market in naturita, co around may 27, 1999. He was either on his way to assist a stranded motorist, but he never arrived. His vehicle was found submerged in a river. Mr. Williams has not been seen since. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the colorado bureau of investigation or the montrose county sheriff's office.

Agency

Colorado Bureau of Investigation - Denver

Name

Susan Hoppes

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On july 7 1994, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were found by hikers near the smokehouse campground on u.S. Forest service road 402 (divided road), commonly called "Windy point." the cause of death is unknown. Investigators believe the woman was brought to windy point after her death, possibly in the fall of 1993. From the examination of the remains, it is believed that the woman suffered from temporomandibular join syndrome (tmj) and scoliosis. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the montrose county sheriff's office.

Agency

Montrose County Sheriff's Office

Name

Tracy Bastion

Age

33

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Tracy jay bastion was last seen in montrose, colorado on october 21, 1994. He had planned on going hunting with friends but never showed up. His friends left without him. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose police department.

Agency

Montrose Police Department

Name

Kenneth Chacon

Age

50

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

50 year old kenneth chacon was last seen between 8:00pm and 9:00pm at his residence in montrose, colorado. Mr. Chacon was known to wear t-shirts, jeans, a backwards baseball cap, and white tennis shoes. His only vehicle was still at his residence when he went missing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose police department.

Agency

Montrose Police Department

Name

Benjamin Gray

Age

50

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

50 year old benjamin gray was last seen in montrose, colorado on may 30, 1978. He leased the top floor of the chipeta bar and cafe in the 10 block of south uncompahgre. Mr.Gray left the establishment with a friend late in the evening on may 30, 1978. They were going to mr. Gray's family ranch in gunnison county, colorado, to lease some cattle. Mr.Gray's friend claims he took ben gray back to the chipeta bar during the early morning hours on may 31 and saw him go inside; but he never arrived in his room and has never been heard from again. He was last seen wearing a green and white plaid cowboy shirt, blue jeans, cowboy boots, a leather belt, and a heavy gold man's ring with a diamond. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose police department.

Agency

Montrose Police Department

Name

Tadd Robinson

Age

25

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the ridgway marshal's office.

Agency

Ridgway Marshal's Office

Name

Connor Jones

Age

26

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Connor jones was last seen on july 7, 2019 and was active on facebook then as well. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose county sheriff's office.

Agency

Montrose County Sheriff's Office

Name

John Stegeman

Age

72

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

John stegeman was last seen on april 13, 2018 in montrose, colorado. He was last seen with his dog in his truck bed in the area of davewood/divdie. His vehicle was abandoned, but his dog was returned home. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the montrose police department.

Agency

Montrose Police Department

Name

Donald Allison

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 18, 1979, the body of an unidentified male was found in a remote area of lenado, within pitkin county, colorado. The unidentified male was wearing a wrist watch, glasses in his shirt pocket, and jeans and a shirt. The autopsy report revealed the unidentified male had been shot two times. Through a namus database search this john doe was identified as donald allison. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the pitkin county sheriff's office.

Agency

Pitkin County Sheriff's Office

Name

Ronald Vanlandingham

Age

55

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On may 23, 1993, upon entering the livery bar on main street in palisade, co, the reporting party was in the process of locating the bartender when she found ronald vanlandingham and gary moss fatally wounded by gunshots in the men's bathroom. Further investigation revealed the business had been robbed. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the palisade police department.

Agency

Palisade Police Department

Name

Gary Moss

Age

49

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On may 23, 1993, upon entering the livery bar on main street in palisade, co, the reporting party was in the process of locating the bartender when she found ronald vanlandingham and gary moss fatally wounded by gunshots in the men's bathroom. Further investigation revealed the business had been robbed. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the palisade police department.

Agency

Palisade Police Department

Name

Homer Abel

Age

63

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 27, 1984, homer abel, a gas station attendant, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery at the asamera gas station located on highway 6 just a few miles east of rifle, co. The suspect was described as a young white male, 5'8, 150-170 pounds, with dark hair and a dark beard and closely trimmed mustache. He was possibly driving a dark colored full-size american made pickup truck with a white camper shell. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Thomas Bast

Age

41

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Joe Fazzi

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 8, 1965, joe fazzi was found shot to death approximately 1 mile east of the town of silt on co state hwy 6 and 24. He was last seen alive earlier that morning buying lumber at the local lumber yard west of silt. Joe's wallet was in his hand and his truck's driver's side door was open. Joe was discovered by his wife and children. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Jerri Lesser

Age

24

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Jerri lesser was last seen on may 30, 1980 while rafting in the colorado river with his friend. It is believed that their raft overturned. The friend's body was later recovered in the river, but mr. Lesser has not been seen since. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Ronda Henrichsen

Age

53

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Ronda henrichsen was last seen at a hotel in glenwood springs, co. She was scheduled to get on the greyhound bus to new mexico but never got on. She may have been sighted in the parachute area 2-3 days later. Ms. Henrichsen may have been wearing a white, indian-style tunic, a turban, and glasses. She had mental health issues and was possibly suicidal. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to please contact garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Daniel Keller

Age

29

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Daniel keller was last seen in paris outside of the french foreign legion gates. According to the reporting party, his phone went dead and mr. Keller had not checked his email or picked up money that was wired to him. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the eagle police department.

Agency

Eagle Police Department

Name

John Montgomery

Age

50

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On october 8, 1979, john montgomery was shot and killed while fishing in rifle creek near mile marker 5.5 on cr 217. John was from california visiting colorado for a fishing/hunting trip with a friend. The suspect vehicle was described as a white over gold or yellow, mid 1970's chevy blazer. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Debra Hageman

Age

39

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

April 14, 1996, 39 year old debra hageman was reported to have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, whereby her vehicle ended up in the colorado river. The vehicle was pulled from the river, but debra was not found. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the eagle county sheriff's office.

Agency

Eagle County Sheriff's Office

Name

Brandy Petruska

Age

19

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Phillip Wimmer

Age

32

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Thomas Lubchenco

Age

56

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 6, 2002, a body was found at 3010 blake ave and was identified as thomas lubchenco who had been shot. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the glenwood springs police department.

Agency

Glenwood Springs Police Department

Name

Christopher Collyer

Age

19

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

During the early evening hours of june 22, 1999, 19 year old christopher collyer dove into the colorado river swimming away from the concrete pier. As he attempted to swim back towards the river bank he was swept away by the river. Search efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies were unsuccessful. He was last seen wearing black pants, a belt, socks, and a diamond stud in his left ear. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the rifle police department.

Agency

Rifle Police Department

Name

Paul Hodgden

Age

30

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On february 19, 2012, paul hodgden went to dinner with friends at a local restaurant. Paul was never seen again. He has a history of heavy alcohol and drug use and was on probation. Mr. Hodgden is asthmatic, has mental health issues, and may be suicidal. He was last seen wearing a tan and red coat, black shirt, blue jeans, and red and white shoes. Mr. Hodgden has multiple tattoos, including: large 'rr' with overlapping rs on right neck; two hands praying with a dangling rosary on left neck; skyscraper buildings with a bench in front on chest; 'rip jds' on left wrist; '4 life' on right arm; a prince wearing a crown on chest with words 'hors la loi' underneath; dragon on left shoulder; 'prc' on right shoulder; '1 nation' on left arm; skulls on right forearm; 'casanova' down left side of arm to knee; 'cheapest dentist' across all fingers; 'no evil' on left ear; 'karma' on left hand; '970' on calf (possibly left calf). Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the parachute police department.

Agency

Parachute Police Department

Name

Roger Ellison

Age

17

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

17 year old roger ellison was last seen the morning of february 10, 1981 at the cedaredge high school, but he did not attend any classes that day. His hair is dark blonde. He was last seen wearing a light blue nylon parka, jeans or brown pants, size 12 or 13 tennis shoes, and an orange or yellow backpack. Foul play is suspected. Second photo is age-progressed to 27 years old; third photo is progressed to 48 years. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the delta county sheriff's office.

Agency

Delta County Sheriff's Office

Name

Shanti Motry

Age

19

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Shanti motry was last seen on march 3, 1993. He disappeared when he was in his front yard working on his car. He left behind his wallet, money, passport, and drivers license and all other personal belongings. Mr. Motry struggled with mental health issues and domestic problems, and may have been suicidal. He may have been in possession of a rifle. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the delta county sheriff's office.

Agency

Delta County Sheriff's Office

Name

Burton Swisher

Age

64

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the delta county sheriff's office.

Agency

Delta County Sheriff's Office

Name

Sheri Trujillo

Age

22

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On july 3, 1998, sheri trujillo was last seen wearing black boxer shorts with a tank top reading "Hard to be cool". Ms. Trujillo has long, curly black hair (almost to her waist), pierced ears, and is known to wear contact lenses or glasses. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the delta county sheriff's office.

Agency

Delta County Sheriff's Office

Name

Janine Johler

Age

38

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 12, 2009, workers conducting clean-up in an orchard area located near garfield county road 137 discovered human remains in some black garbage bags. The garbage bags were scattered along a ditch-line next to county road 137. Subsequent investigation determined the remains were that of janine johler. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the garfield county sheriff's office.

Agency

Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Name

Sheri Espinoza

Age

22

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On july 3, 1998, 22 year old sherri espinoza disappeared under suspicious circumstances. She was last seen by her boyfriend at her home in paonia, colorado. Sheri was reported missing until her body was located in a remote area of gunnison county, near somerset colorado on september 15, 2009. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the delta county sheriff's office.

Agency

Delta County Sheriff's Office

Name

William Brennan

Age

40

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On may 15 1990, 39 year old william brennan was last seen near canyon creek with a small duffle bag and raincoat. He was reported to be suicidal and has since been missing. He may have been seen hitchhiking into las vegas in july 1990. Mr. Brennan was a vietnam veteran and may have had a handgun. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact glenwood springs police department.

Agency

Glenwood Springs Police Department