2A 23-year-old will spend 60 years behind bars for shooting and killing a Greeley man in October 2020. Months after murder of Greeley musician, details emerge in the case (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana). Weld County Courthouse. Northern Colorado basketball teams face tough road at Big Sky Tournament Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. Greeley Police said they were called just before 8 p.m. Friday to a report of suspicious activity at Noco Nutrition, in the 1900 block of 59th Avenue. Angie always put her mother and siblings first!". , 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? John Anthony Silva, 35, was convicted of murder, violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, first-degree burglary, aggravated robbery, intimidating a witness and felony drug. She was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. Police found Vallejos backpack in the front seat of the car. Officers said Vallejos threw a brick through the window of the Greeley Church of Latter Day Saints and went inside. At the time of her disappearance, Jonelle's father was the principal of Platte Valley Elementary School in Kersey, Colorado.[6]. 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. Police determined Jaramillo left the scene in a Dodge. 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. The police arrived at 10:15 PM and found footprints in the snow, indicating that someone had been looking in the windows. 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. After, Vallejos removed a dark-colored cover from a nearby couch using the hatchet. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Married With Secrets is in Greeley, Colorado, to investigate the murder of Heather Garraus, who was killed by Shawna Nelson, the spurned lover of her husband. In 2010, the Greeley Tribune published another summary of the case. Jaramillo and the victim went outside to talk, according to records, when the victim returned to the garage holding his neck and saying he had been stabbed. However, once she clocked out and was about to return home, a dark figure approached her in the parking lot. A little over two and a half hours later the womans car was found less than five minutes down the road at the Kum and Go gas station at 20th Street and 71st Avenue. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. On surveillance, Vallejos was seen moving her body to the backseat of the vehicle. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Affidavit: Video footage captures vicious, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Affidavit: Video footage captures vicious murder of 22-year-old, Campbell wins Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year for record-breaking times, Big Sky Tournament: UNC mens, womens basketball have tough road in Boise, Smileys former JuCo player confident in coach, UNC basketball future, Aims CC offers free science, tech summer camp for high school students, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Weld judge sentences Greeley man to 60 years for October 2020 murder, In-N-Out closes on property for Loveland restaurant in Centerra, Johnstown fisherman reels in the catch of a lifetime while traveling to Texas for son's junior hockey tournament, Sentencing date set for former Greeley Central teacher who pleaded guilty to child exploitation, Weld County commissioners approve new commissioner districts in what some say is violation of state law, Windsor girls switch to rarely used 2-3 zone en route to win over Mead in quarterfinals of 5A playoffs, Fusco Pizza is a love letter to all things Greeley, One call handles it all: TruBlue Total House Care opening in Greeley, Weld and Larimer counties retail food inspection reports, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Pankey repeatedly claimed to have knowledge of the crime and had asked "for immunity in exchange for information". He laid the weapon on the couch and placed Vega on the cover. Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. At about that time, a car stored on their property caught fire and the burned car "was disposed of at a salvage yard". [21] Pankey had claimed that on the evening of Jonelle's abduction, a rake was used to cover up tracks left in the snow. Coroner identifies 3 family members killed in - Greeley Tribune 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. The 59-year-old halfway house counselor had spent years doing drugs before a stint in jail, then rehab set him on the straight and narrow. Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. We love Greeley, we love the community. Following extradition from Idaho, Pankey made his first appearance in a Colorado courtroom in Greeley on October 30, 2020.[24]. "[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". You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Firearms sales soared, and tens of millions of new guns proliferated across communities nationwide. Twenty-four-year-old Marcos Vallejos was arrested shortly after and charged with sexual assault and first-degree murder. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. By the time first responders arrived at the murder scene, Heather was lying in a pool of blood on the ground. The 2019 Greeley crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. The. Officers searched for him in the area and saw him walking a few blocks away. All data in this story is at the metro area level from the FBI. About 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 1979, two of Kay Day's coworkers on their way home found her red 1977 Datsun station wagon parked on the eastbound shoulder in the 5700 block of 20th Street, just southwest of the college campus. He told officers he was the guy they were looking for, according to arrest records. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. 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. 'An Overwhelming Number Of Lies': Colorado Counselor Slain In Life Deputies arrested him about an hour after finding his mother, 66-year-old June Martinez Faudoa, killed in her home just outside Eaton. She was very unique and had a heart of gold! GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) Officers found a body outside a Greeley home shortly after midnight Saturday. Seconds later, he was back in the frame without the hatchet. With snow on the ground, Jonelle's father thought it unlikely that she would go far without shoes. According to the arrest affidavit, Vega's mother told police that the business looked like a mess from the surveillance footage and she had also received a call from a customer that the business had experienced a break-in and that there was blood on the floor. 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. [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. At this point, Vega was draped in a blanket. During the interview in the field and at the police station, officers said that Vallejos made several incoherent or nonsensical statements. They are currently retired and living in Costa Rica. Surprisingly, the killer was dressed in a black robe and was hiding their face with a grim reaper mask. He interacted with Vega briefly at the shop's counter and then sat a table. Interestingly, Shawna was arrested on the same day as Heathers murder, and the police found her driving her husbands truck. / CBS Colorado. Our top 10 tips from residents, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. According to the press release . Randy Baker was killed in 2017. Her father arrived home at 9:30 PM and found the garage door open, but no one was in the house. [21], Pankey knew he was a person of interest in September 2019 when he was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman. She cherished life and those in it! A family friend said Vega had a heart of gold and worked hard to help her mom and siblings in every way she could. 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? The Moving can be an exciting experience. [2] In 1994, Jonelle was declared legally dead. At the time of her murder, Heather Garraus was 37-years-old and happily married to Ignacio Garraus, a police officer in the Greeley Police Department. At 6:36 p.m., Vallejos followed Vega behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet, the affidavit says. Jaramillo has several warrants out for his arrest, dating back to traffic charges in February. [9] The phone call was the last time anyone was known to have spoken with Jonelle. A news release from the coroner's office notes they were family. He has an advisement hearing scheduled for this charge 9 a.m. Aug. 18. 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. Jonelle Matthews case: Suspect indicted for murder in 1984 Greeley cold In 1997, Gloria Matthews received a letter from Vierra requesting permission to visit Jonelle. 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. [5], Jonelle Matthews was born at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, on February 9, 1972, to 13-year-old Terri Vierra. A little after 10:30 p.m., police found Vega's vehicle a little over a mile away, near 71st Avenue and 20th Street. An initial examination determined that she was dead, while an autopsy later confirmed that the Colorado State Employees Credit Union employee had died of multiple bullet wounds. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. She had goals and loved adventures! According to court documents, in November, Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, which are both misdemeanors. Greeley Police responded to the business for a wellness check after they were tipped off that someone might have broken in and the woman who was scheduled to close was missing. Hicks claimed to have heard Pankey muttering in response, accusing the minister of being a false prophet. "We're here for you. Big Sky Tournament: UNC men's, women's basketball have tough road in Boise. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. Affidavit: Greeley resident wanted on suspicion of attempted murder 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. Her family said at work, she wrote a message on every cup to cheer up customers. It was higher than in 74.7% U.S. cities. The 2019 crime rate in Greeley, CO is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is comparable to the U.S. average. The staff at CBS News Colorado is Covering Colorado First. Some experts speculate that each of these factors likely played a role in rising homicide rates nationwide. The day of January 23, 2007, was a normal one at the Garraus household as Heather left for work as scheduled. 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. [16] She appears in the International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons' database. Randy Baker's Wife, Kelly, Found Him Dead On The Floor. "She was part of our community.". Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area - 24/7 Wall St GREELEY, Colo. Content Warning: This article includes topics that may be sensitive for some readers, including sexual assault. At his son's funeral, Hicks reportedly heard Pankey say, "I hope God didn't allow this to happen because of Jonelle Matthews. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. Apparent murder-suicide in Greeley leaves 3 dead | 9news.com Meet the news team or contact us. He said he and his wife were home on the night of Jonelle's disappearance. A customer also told her someone broke into the business and there was blood on the floor. [21], Pankey gave an interview to the Times-News and said he was being framed by the police because of his sexuality, identifying himself as a "celibate homosexual". The spike in homicides came during a tumultuous year. [2], Years after Jonelle's disappearance, her parents moved to the Philippines. He returned seconds later with his right hand covered in blood before going outside to pull Vegas vehicle closer to the business. The video shows Vallejos sexually assaulting Vega. However, Ignacio soon realized his mistake, and apart from breaking up with Shawna, even gave up his parental rights. Officers responded to the convenience store and found Vegas body. 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. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. "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. - A Greeley man was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison this week for murdering a woman in 2018. Greeley gang leader will 'never walk the streets again' - FOX31 Denver An arrest warrant for first-degree assault and attempted second-degree murder was issued for Matthew Jaramillo after multiple parties reported he stabbed a man. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Radin at (970) 350-9671. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or @treid71 on Twitter. Upon arrival, officers found the victim on the floor of the garage while two witnesses were providing help to the severely injured man. [26] Incidentally, Heather also worked at the Colorado State Employees Credit Union in Greeley, and co-workers couldnt help but praise her diligence. The Angie Zapata Murder: Violence Against Transgender People - GLAAD GREELEY MURDER: Woman sexually assaulted, struck with hatchet at least During this time, Vega put things away and cleaned up the counter. When officers arrived, they found a wounded man on the ground with. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [13] Decades later, Pankey provided investigators with documents concerning this trip, which police said contained "false statements and superfluous details". While it may be years before the precise causal factors are identified, many U.S. cities are bearing the brunt of the rash of deadly violence. Based on DNA evidence, the Weld County Coroner's Office positively identified the remains as being those of Jonelle Matthews. When the police began investigating Heathers death, they turned to the eyewitnesses who were present on the scene and recorded their accounts. Man charged with murder after police find body outside Greeley home When officers arrived, they found Vega's glasses in the parking lot and blood on the sidewalk in front of the business. Once the mystery attacker reached Heather, they ordered her to go down on her knees and began shooting incessantly at close range. Crime rate in Greeley, CO - City-Data Police said the investigation is still ongoing. Vega was seen on security cameras cleaning and preparing to close the store. DENVER The Weld County Coroners Office on Thursday identified the three people found dead inside a home in Greeley in what police said was a possible murder-suicide. The victim had a deep laceration from behind his left ear extending to the base of his skull. 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.