We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Paramedics arrived to take the victim to North Colorado Medical Center. "She was part of our community.". 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 . If you need anything, we're here," Bowie said. Officers said Vallejos threw a brick through the window of the Greeley Church of Latter Day Saints and went inside. 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. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. Lets not have this repeat again,Castillo said. Upon arrival, officers found the victim on the floor of the garage while two witnesses were providing help to the severely injured man. A final cause and manner of death await the conclusion of autopsy reports., Greeley police said Saturday that all three had apparent gunshot wounds and that evidence at the scene suggests that this was a murder-suicide.. [12][13], The disappearance attracted interest from the public, including the president of the United States and members of Congress. [16] She appears in the International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons' database. Our top 10 tips from residents, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. [March 7, 1985]: I learned about Jonelle Matthews of Greeley, Colorado. Vega was seen on security cameras cleaning and preparing to close the store. Weld County Courthouse. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) Officers found a body outside a Greeley home shortly after midnight Saturday. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. DU loses to North Dakota in Summit tourney opener, Makar cleared to return 2nd time from concussion protocol, 77 inches of snow fall at Colorado ski area in 9 days, 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. Three people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in Greeley Saturday. On surveillance, Vallejos was seen moving her body to the backseat of the vehicle. We love Greeley, we love the community. Moreover, the people who saw the murder also claimed that the killer showed no compassion, and it seemed like a personal attack. Twenty-four-year-old Marcos Vallejos was arrested shortly after and charged with sexual assault and first-degree murder. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. [21], Pankey's ex-wife, Angela Hicks,[21] said they started their trip on December 22, two days after Jonelle's disappearance. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. According to court documents, in November, Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, which are both misdemeanors. Community members like Irene Castillo said Vega was a sweet girl who was loved by many. 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. The person reported seeing a body covered in the backseat. Mar. A customer also told her someone broke into the business and there was blood on the floor. 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. Afterward, Vallejos took Vega's car keys and pulled her car closer to the business's front door. 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. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) The family of a 22-year-old woman who was killed Friday night has identified her as Angie Vega. Vallejos was booked into the Weld County Jail on first-degree murder and sexual assault charges. He shuffled papers in and out of his black backpack and wrote on them for an hour. 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. According to the Greeley Police Department (GPD), officers were called to the 4900 block of 23rd Street Road just. He told officers he was the guy they were looking for, according to arrest records. Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby. 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. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) A 22-year-old woman was murdered Friday night at NOCO Nutrition at the end of her shift. "Its really scary to know that she was doing her job and someone so innocent can be taken for no reason, no reason at all.. 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. By Bryan Pietsch Oct. 13, 2020 DENVER For more than three decades, the disappearance of Jonelle Matthews hung over the city of Greeley, Colo., where the 12-year-old was taken from her family's. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. GREELEY, Colo. Content Warning: This article includes topics that may be sensitive for some readers, including sexual assault. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. The. 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. The suspect is Jessica Reeves-Burrola, according to jail records. 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. Police said the investigation is still ongoing. We're praying for your family. When detectives examined the surveillance video, they learned Vallejos entered the business at 5:36 p.m. while other customers were inside. However, unable to get an idea about possible suspects, authorities interviewed Heathers co-workers, who gave the police their first breakthrough. [17], A chokecherry tree was planted in front of Franklin Middle School in memory of Jonelle. Greeley resident Leandra Walker never met Vega or her family, but she left flowers and a poem at the store. While Vega was motionless on the floor, Vallejos laid the weapon on the counter and walked back toward the restroom and office area. 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. He has his first court appearance 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. After, Vallejos removed a dark-colored cover from a nearby couch using the hatchet. - A Greeley man was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison this week for murdering a woman in 2018. The tree died after a few years and a plaque inscribed with Jonelle's name disappeared. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. 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. [26] "I hope maybe her family can see that there are people who care even though we didn't know her," Walker said. [19][20] The forensic report listed Jonelle's cause of death as "a gunshot wound to the head".[13][21]. [21] He was held without bail at the Ada County Jail in Boise until he was extradited to Colorado. GREELEY, Colo. ( KDVR) The family of a 22-year-old woman who was killed Friday night has identified her as Angie Vega. [21] Mogensen said that while there had been sibling rivalry between her and Jonelle in 1984, Jonelle's killing eliminated the possibility for the two siblings to grow closer. Just after 6:15 p.m., the last customer left the store, leaving Vega alone inside with Vallejos, the affidavit says. Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests. David . At this point, Vega was draped in a blanket. Therefore, Shawna was arrested and charged with murder. 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. However, Ignacio soon realized his mistake, and apart from breaking up with Shawna, even gave up his parental rights. He returned seconds later with his right hand covered in blood before going outside to pull Vegas vehicle closer to the business. RELATED: 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. The victim, identified by her family as Angie Vega, was allegedly sexually. They are currently retired and living in Costa Rica. When the police initially approached Shawna, she insisted on her innocence and denied being involved in Heathers murder. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. A young woman found dead in the back of her vehicle Friday night in Greeley has been identified, and a suspect is in custody. She was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. Police found Vallejos backpack in the front seat of the car. 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. His campaign website said that Pankey has studied criminal justice. Discuss Greeley, Colorado (CO) on our hugely popular Colorado forum. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. Officers responded to the store and found Vegas glasses in the parking lot, as well as blood on the sidewalk near the front entrance. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. 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 Greeley. [25] The prosecution argued that Pankey's behavior and statements incriminated him in the murder, but Pankey's defense attorney argued that his "obsessive interest" in the case could be attributed to Asperger syndrome. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. In 2007, Shawna Nelson was a former Weld County police dispatcher who was married to a Weld County Sheriff, Deputy Ken Nelson. The affidavit says he was out of camera view. Jonelle was adopted in March 1972 by James "Jim" and Gloria Matthews, a married couple with a daughter, living in Greeley, Colorado. The documents detail the rest of the video, which includes Vallejos taking Vega, dragging her on a couch cover to her vehicle and placing her in the rear of the vehicle. [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15mi (24km) from her home. When officers arrived, the store was in disarray with large amounts of blood found inside. They asked anyone with more information about the case to call Detective Onderlinde at 970-350-9676. Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. [18], Excavators installing a pipeline discovered human remains at 4:50 PM on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, near the intersection of County Roads 34.5 and 49 at coordinates .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}401423N 1043609W / 40.239848N 104.602514W / 40.239848; -104.602514, about 15mi (24km) southeast of Jonelle's home. . "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. Vallejos failed to show up for a court date in March. Their father began to worry and called police. 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. Vallejos also claimed he had no rights and didnt understand them. 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. During this time, Vega put things away and cleaned up the counter. Angie always put her mother and siblings first!". Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. She said theyre pushing for better safety in this area. 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. However, from the looks of it, the cops seemingly had an immediate breakthrough as there were several eyewitnesses to the murder. With snow on the ground, Jonelle's father thought it unlikely that she would go far without shoes. "[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". [21] In 2018, Pankey had campaigned for the Idaho Republican Party's nomination for the position of governor of Idaho. He then dragged Vega a few feet before sexually assaulting her, records said. In the last 5 years Greeley has seen decreasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Firearms sales soared, and tens of millions of new guns proliferated across communities nationwide. Mogensen's father was reportedly "especially excited to see justice". There were 16 homicides reported in the area in 2020, up 220% from five in 2019. 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. A family friend said Vega had a heart of gold and worked hard to help her mom and siblings in every way she could. The worker contacted another person to go check out the business. Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. 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. At about that time, a car stored on their property caught fire and the burned car "was disposed of at a salvage yard". 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 City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. In metropolitan areas across the country, the increase in homicides last year eclipsed the national surge in some cases, many times over. The number of homicides stood at 2. On Thursday, the coroner's office identified them as Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Karus, 80, and Alan Kraus, 61, all of Greeley. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. The affidavit says that as officers approached, Vallejos said something to the effect of "Yeah, I'm your guy.". Shawna Louise Buntz Nelson (pictured, left) was always looking for love. The man saw signs of someone being dragged as well as surveillance footage showing someone taking Vega.