Officers found three people dead inside the home. Man Charged With Murder in 1984 Killing of Colorado Girl Taken From 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. [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. / CBS Colorado. When officers arrived, they found Vega's glasses in the parking lot and blood on the sidewalk in front of the business. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. Moreover, officers also found a Grim Reaper mask in the truck the accused was driving, further strengthening their case. Jan 18, 2022 Updated Jan 18, 2022. Some experts speculate that each of these factors likely played a role in rising homicide rates nationwide. The usually peaceful city of Greeley, Colorado, was forced to witness a horrifying homicide when Heather Garraus was murdered in cold blood as she left her place of work. [13][21] According to the 2020 indictment statement, shortly following their return to Greeley, Pankey started digging in their yard. 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. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. Following extradition from Idaho, Pankey made his first appearance in a Colorado courtroom in Greeley on October 30, 2020.[24]. Once the mystery attacker reached Heather, they ordered her to go down on her knees and began shooting incessantly at close range. A witness told police they saw a lot of blood and a hatchet at the business before police arrived. Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. "We're here for you. [21] In 2018, Pankey had campaigned for the Idaho Republican Party's nomination for the position of governor of Idaho. [17], A chokecherry tree was planted in front of Franklin Middle School in memory of Jonelle. 'An Overwhelming Number Of Lies': Colorado Counselor Slain In Life However, unable to get an idea about possible suspects, authorities interviewed Heathers co-workers, who gave the police their first breakthrough. 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. She said theyre pushing for better safety in this area. [12][13], The disappearance attracted interest from the public, including the president of the United States and members of Congress. 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. , 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? When he arrived at NOCO Nutrition, the worker went inside to find a hatchet and a lot of blood, arrest records said. Every picture of Vega at the memorials shows her smile. Video surveillance obtained by police showed a 24-year-old murder suspect waiting for customers to leave a business before brutally killing a 22-year-old worker with a hatchet. [21], Pankey knew he was a person of interest in September 2019 when he was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman. The Weld County Coroners Office on Thursday publicly identified the three people killed in a suspected murder-suicide over the weekend in Greeley. A customer also told her someone broke into the business and there was blood on the floor. There were 16 homicides reported in the area in 2020, up 220% from five in 2019. His bond was set to $100,000. The same tire pattern was found near the crime scene, while the police also recovered a pair of shoes from the same area, which had gunshot residue and Shawnas DNA on it. 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. Vallejos returned to the cameras view to retrieve the hatchet and take it back to the office area. 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. Weld County Courthouse. He was wearing a white shirt, dark pants and had a black backpack. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "[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". A young woman found dead in the back of her vehicle Friday night in Greeley has been identified, and a suspect is in custody. The victim eventually stopped breathing and his pulse could not be detected, according to Evans police. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Now, a memorial is set up outside of the nutrition shop with flowers and photos of Vega. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area - 24/7 Wall St [5] People from the community came by all day Saturday to pay their respects. Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. Police said the missing woman was found dead in the backseat. 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. On Monday, Weld Judge Vincente Vigil imposed the maximum sentence of 60 years in the . Arrest affidavit reveals timeline of gruesome sexual assault, murder in Steve Pankey, who twice ran for governor of Idaho, is charged in the 1984 kidnapping and murder of Jonelle Matthews. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Family of Aurora man in police video speaks out, We need a permanent fix: Potholes return to Evergreen, Utah governor says he plans to sign abortion clinic, East High students weigh in on school resource officer, Makar cleared to return 2nd time from concussion, Mercer has goal, 3 assists as Devils beat Avalanche, NFL coach Brian Flores discrimination case going, Rockies among 17 teams MLB may take over broadcasts, Jokic has 100th triple-double; Nuggets down Rockets, Sean Payton tried to lure Vic Fangio back to Denver, 1 dead, several injured in multiple Denver shootings, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? However, once she clocked out and was about to return home, a dark figure approached her in the parking lot. Angie always put her mother and siblings first!". Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. For 11 minutes, he was out of the cameras view, arrest records said. [21] Pankey had claimed that on the evening of Jonelle's abduction, a rake was used to cover up tracks left in the snow. By the time first responders arrived at the murder scene, Heather was lying in a pool of blood on the ground. According to a recent FBI report, there were a total of 21,570 murders committed in 2020, the most of any year in the last two and a half decades and up nearly 30% from 2019 the largest annual increase on record. We love Greeley, we love the community. At his son's funeral, Hicks reportedly heard Pankey say, "I hope God didn't allow this to happen because of Jonelle Matthews. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The victim, identified by her family as Angie Vega, was allegedly sexually. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Officers responded to the store and found Vegas glasses in the parking lot, as well as blood on the sidewalk near the front entrance. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Coroner identifies 3 found dead at home in Greeley - KMGH Only metro areas with populations of at least 250,000 residents and at least one homicide in 2019 were considered. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. 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. Weld judge sentences Greeley man to 60 years for October 2020 murder Police have arrested a suspect and charged him with murder. She had goals and loved adventures! Upon arrival, officers found the victim on the floor of the garage while two witnesses were providing help to the severely injured man. On Thursday, the coroners office identified them as Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Karus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. President Ronald Reagan mentioned Jonelle Matthews in a speech on March 7, 1985, from Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building. Crime rate in Greeley, CO - City-Data Greeley gang leader will 'never walk the streets again' - FOX31 Denver Please enter valid email address to continue. 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 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. She was found dead in. On Oct. 29, 2020, Greeley officers responded to a shooting around 3 a.m. in the 1100 block alley between 11th and 12th streets. Vega is seen cleaning up at the counter, likely anticipating closing at 7 p.m. At 6:36 p.m. the video shows Vallejos on the video following the victim behind the counter and attacking her. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. She found it on the job, working as a 911 dispatcher, and falling in love with Sheriff's deputy Ken Nelson. Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. Affidavit: Video footage captures vicious murder of 22-year-old Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. 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