(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana). We want safety, so the powers that be put more lights up here. Introduction. [2], Years after Jonelle's disappearance, her parents moved to the Philippines. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. 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 2019 Greeley crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. Police responded to the home after a caller requested police check on a family member due to getting concerning text messages. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. "[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". The police department said anyone with more information regarding the case could call 970-350-9671. 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. He returned seconds later with his right hand covered in blood before going outside to pull Vegas vehicle closer to the business. He then dragged Vega a few feet before sexually assaulting her, records said. 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. 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. Now, a memorial is set up outside of the nutrition shop with flowers and photos of Vega. [19][20] The forensic report listed Jonelle's cause of death as "a gunshot wound to the head".[13][21]. [9] The phone call was the last time anyone was known to have spoken with Jonelle. There were no signs of a struggle or of forced entry. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15mi (24km) from her home. She had goals and loved adventures! He said he and his wife were home on the night of Jonelle's disappearance. Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby. Jonelle's shoes and shawl were near a heater in the family room, a place she often sat. 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. Vallejos returned to the cameras view to retrieve the hatchet and take it back to the office area. The number of homicides stood at 2. However, refusing to give up, officers arrested her best friend, Michelle Moore, who came clean after being charged with being an accessory after the fact and admitted that Shawna was responsible for murdering Heather. When he arrived at NOCO Nutrition, the worker went inside to find a hatchet and a lot of blood, arrest records said. The friend said Vega would take her siblings out to dinner one day a month to spend time with them. [21] Pankey had claimed that on the evening of Jonelle's abduction, a rake was used to cover up tracks left in the snow. 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 few co-workers mentioned that although Heather was a wonderful person, a woman named Shawna Nelson had a massive grudge against her. Afterward, Vallejos took Vega's car keys and pulled her car closer to the business's front door. 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. 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. - A Greeley man was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison this week for murdering a woman in 2018. Greeley, Colorado, is one of only four large U.S. metro areas where murders more than tripled in the last year. Vallejos also claimed he had no rights and didnt understand them. The victim had a deep laceration from behind his left ear extending to the base of his skull. 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. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Jonelle was adopted in March 1972 by James "Jim" and Gloria Matthews, a married couple with a daughter, living in Greeley, Colorado. The Greeley chief of police attributes the spike to disruptions caused by the pandemic, including the release of some inmates from jails and prisons to improve social distancing measures within the facilities. A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Vallejos briefly interacted with Vega at the counter before sitting down at a nearby table. On April 14, 2009, the two-week trial for the murder of Angie Zapataan 18-year-old transgender womanis scheduled to begin in Greeley, Colo. Due to this landmark case's complexities and its significance for LGBT people, it is of utmost importance that media coverage of the tragic death of Angie Zapata be inclusive, accurate, and respectful of a community that is too often . Jaramillo has several warrants out for his arrest, dating back to traffic charges in February. Surprisingly, the killer was dressed in a black robe and was hiding their face with a grim reaper mask. Nearly three weeks after two men were shot in Greeley, investigators have arrested a 32-year-old woman in connection with the shooting, the Greeley Police Department announced. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Officers searched for him in the area and saw him walking a few blocks away. Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. [22][23], On October 13, 2020, Pankey was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in Jonelle's death. [12][13], The disappearance attracted interest from the public, including the president of the United States and members of Congress. 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. He has an advisement hearing scheduled for this charge 9 a.m. Aug. 18. At about that time, a car stored on their property caught fire and the burned car "was disposed of at a salvage yard". In 2007, Shawna Nelson was a former Weld County police dispatcher who was married to a Weld County Sheriff, Deputy Ken Nelson. When officers arrived at the business, they found Vega's glasses and a lot of blood, along with her finger. [13] Steven Pankey was 69 years old at the time of his indictment. [5] Meet the news team or contact us. Shawna Louise Buntz Nelson (pictured, left) was always looking for love. All data in this story is at the metro area level from the FBI. Steve Pankey, a former longshot candidate for Idaho governor, has been indicted on Oct. 13, 2020, in the murder of Jonelle Matthews, a 12-year-old Colorado girl who went missing in 1984. 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 . Officers helped tend to the victims injuries until Evans fire personnel arrived. Police arrested a suspect, identified as Marco Vallejos. Later, police said he referred to his right arm as the one that kills people. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Vallejos shuffled papers in and out of his backpack, drawing and writing on them, for nearly an hour. Pankey pleaded not guilty for those crimes . You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. President Ronald Reagan mentioned Jonelle Matthews in a speech on March 7, 1985, from Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) Officers found a body outside a Greeley home shortly after midnight Saturday. Police continue to investigate the shooting. 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. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. 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. In the last 5 years Greeley has seen decreasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. The spike in homicides came during a tumultuous year. In fact, the show also stated that Shawna and Ignacios affair led to a child, and the former wanted him to divorce his wife and move in with her. Community members like Irene Castillo said Vega was a sweet girl who was loved by many. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. Moreover, the people who saw the murder also claimed that the killer showed no compassion, and it seemed like a personal attack. He has his first court appearance 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. 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. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. [14] She was mentioned in the Congressional Record for the United States House of Representatives on April 2, 1985, page 7224. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. On Thursday, the coroner's office identified them as Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Karus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. "I hope maybe her family can see that there are people who care even though we didn't know her," Walker said. For 11 minutes, he was out of the cameras view, arrest records said. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event. She is being held in Weld County Jail without bond on charges of . The case is the subject of a new Dateline episode that aired Monday night at 9 p.m. GREELEY, Colo. Randy Baker was 59 when his wife Kelly found him dead inside . "She was part of our community.". 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[10] At 8:15 PM, Jonelle arrived home in Greeley, Colorado, after getting a ride from her friend, DeeAnna Ross, and DeeAnna's father. [26] 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. Just after 6:15 p.m., the last customer left the store, leaving Vega alone inside with Vallejos, the affidavit says. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The incident angered Shawna greatly, and authorities discovered that she had been sending threatening messages to Ignacio and Heather for quite some time. "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. Vega was seen on security cameras cleaning and preparing to close the store. 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. In metropolitan areas across the country, the increase in homicides last year eclipsed the national surge in some cases, many times over. Three people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in Greeley Saturday. She said theyre pushing for better safety in this area. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. She was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. Police found Vallejos backpack in the front seat of the car. He was wearing a white shirt, dark pants and had a black backpack. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. His bond was set to $100,000. According to our research of Colorado and other state lists, there were 381 registered sex offenders living in Greeley, Colorado as of March 03, 2023. At 10:43 p.m. a witness told police the suspect vehicle had a body in the rear outside a convenience store at 71st Avenue and 20th Street in Greeley. Big Sky Tournament: UNC men's, women's basketball have tough road in Boise. She found it on the job, working as a 911 dispatcher, and falling in love with Sheriff's deputy Ken Nelson. During his interview with a detective, Vallejos made statements about Jesus Christ, Sophia, Mexicans, Mormons, magnets and politics, records said. 2A 23-year-old will spend 60 years behind bars for shooting and killing a Greeley man in October 2020. 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. 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. She also said this trip was unexpected. Vegas body was inside that car. International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons', "Jonelle Matthews investigation: Chronicling the 34-year search for missing Greeley 12-year-oldThe vivacious 12-year-old disappeared in 1984. Hicks claimed to have heard Pankey muttering in response, accusing the minister of being a false prophet. However, unable to get an idea about possible suspects, authorities interviewed Heathers co-workers, who gave the police their first breakthrough. 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. 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. At 6:36 p.m., Vallejos followed Vega behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet, the affidavit says. On Monday, Weld Judge Vincente Vigil imposed the maximum sentence of 60 years in the . The police arrived at 10:15 PM and found footprints in the snow, indicating that someone had been looking in the windows. According to the show, Shawna was married to Ken Nelson, a Weld County sheriffs deputy, but also had an affair with Heathers husband, Ignacio, for several years. The worker contacted another person to go check out the business. Officers responded to the convenience store and found Vegas body. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. 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. [15] As recently as 2018, Greeley Police had been re-contacting witnesses and applying the latest forensic advances in their investigation. Vallejos failed to show up for a court date in March. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Officers said Vallejos threw a brick through the window of the Greeley Church of Latter Day Saints and went inside. The affidavit says that as officers approached, Vallejos said something to the effect of "Yeah, I'm your guy.". Their father began to worry and called police. Her father arrived home at 9:30 PM and found the garage door open, but no one was in the house. 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. Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and sexual assault. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Greeley Police said they were called just before 8 p.m. Friday to a report of suspicious activity at Noco. Following extradition from Idaho, Pankey made his first appearance in a Colorado courtroom in Greeley on October 30, 2020.[24]. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. However, once she clocked out and was about to return home, a dark figure approached her in the parking lot. 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. Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer. Police said Saturday they were investigating incident as possible murder-suicide, Yellow crime tape blocks off an area. Angie always put her mother and siblings first!". 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. On Friday night, Vega's mother reported her missing after she didn't return home by 7:35 p.m. after she was scheduled to close the family business at 7 p.m. She was very unique and had a heart of gold! 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. 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. Vega and her vehicle were both missing. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. In the minutes that followed, Vallejos made spontaneous and unsolicited statements that he killed someone. 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. Suspect indicted for murder in 1984 disappearance and death of Greeley's Jonelle Matthews The remains of the 12-year-old girl were discovered in a rural Weld County field last year He got into her car and then left the parking lot at 6:47 p.m. At 10:34 p.m., a resident saw Vegas car parked at a convenience store on 71st Avenue and 20th Street, about a mile from NOCO Nutrition, according to arrest records. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Greeley Police arrested Marcos Vallejos in the death of Angie Vega. August 30, 2022 / 1:01 PM Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. He also claimed to have watched students walking home from the middle school which Jonelle attended. She was found dead in her car after she went missing from her place of work at NOCO Nutrition. [21], The police announced that Pankey had long been a person of interest in the case. 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. Pankey's trial began on Thursday, October 14, 2021, ultimately ending in a mistrial on November 4, 2021, due to a hung jury. [21], On October 13, 2020, Steven Pankey was indicted on charges of murdering and kidnapping Matthews. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Trevor Reid covers public safety issues for the Greeley Tribune. RELATED: 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. 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. but it can also be stressful. 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Moreover, officers also found a Grim Reaper mask in the truck the accused was driving, further strengthening their case. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Officers helped tend to the victim's injuries until Evans fire personnel arrived. 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. 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. Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. He took his backpack but left a piece of paper at the table. UNC lost to NAU, 62-59, in overtime. Greeley Police Commander Roy Smith stated that Pankey "had made repeated efforts to speak with detectives" about the Matthews case, but refused to answer questions when detectives traveled to Twin Falls on August 15, 2019. We love Greeley, we love the community. Police determined Jaramillo was hanging out with others in the garage when an argument broke out and the victim intervened. 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. Police have arrested a suspect and charged him with murder.