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 incident remains under investigation by the Greeley Police Department, which will provide further information as it becomes available, Chief Deputy Coroner Joey Weiner said. 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. When officers arrived, they found a wounded man on the ground with. 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. Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby. Jonelle was adopted in March 1972 by James "Jim" and Gloria Matthews, a married couple with a daughter, living in Greeley, Colorado. SHE had dreams! Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. 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. Vallejos shuffled papers in and out of his backpack, drawing and writing on them, for nearly an hour. Officers responded to the store and found Vegas glasses in the parking lot, as well as blood on the sidewalk near the front entrance. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance cameras showed Vallejos enter Noco Nutrition at 5:36 p.m. with a backpack over his shoulder. Based on DNA evidence, the Weld County Coroner's Office positively identified the remains as being those of Jonelle Matthews. Jaramillo has several active warrants, but has not been taken into custody for the July 24 stabbing. Arrest affidavit reveals timeline of gruesome sexual assault, murder in Greeley, sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. At his son's funeral, Hicks reportedly heard Pankey say, "I hope God didn't allow this to happen because of Jonelle Matthews. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. Please enter valid email address to continue. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. 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. 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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 Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Moreover, officers also found a Grim Reaper mask in the truck the accused was driving, further strengthening their case. GREELEY, Colo. Content Warning: This article includes topics that may be sensitive for some readers, including sexual assault. Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. His bond was set to $100,000. When detectives examined the surveillance video, they learned Vallejos entered the business at 5:36 p.m. while other customers were inside. 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. He then dragged Vega a few feet before sexually assaulting her, records said. The victim, identified by her family as Angie Vega, was allegedly sexually. The incident angered Shawna greatly, and authorities discovered that she had been sending threatening messages to Ignacio and Heather for quite some time. . 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. "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. 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. [13] She also said that after their return, Pankey forced her to read to him newspaper articles concerning the case. 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. She cherished life and those in it! Interestingly, Shawna was arrested on the same day as Heathers murder, and the police found her driving her husbands truck. People from the community came by all day Saturday to pay their respects. The spike in homicides came during a tumultuous year. Jonelle's shoes and shawl were near a heater in the family room, a place she often sat. "I hope maybe her family can see that there are people who care even though we didn't know her," Walker said. The tree died after a few years and a plaque inscribed with Jonelle's name disappeared. 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. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. The affidavit says he was out of camera view. He interacted with Vega briefly at the shop's counter and then sat a table. A few moments later, he left his table and walked around the counter to the restroom out of the cameras view. Vega was seen on security cameras cleaning and preparing to close the store. That's about a mile from where the attack happened. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. In the minutes that followed, Vallejos made spontaneous and unsolicited statements that he killed someone. Police determined Jaramillo left the scene in a Dodge. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) The family of a 22-year-old woman who was killed Friday night has identified her as Angie Vega. The criminal indictment said that he "intentionally inserted himself in the investigation many times over the years claiming to have knowledge of the crime which grew inconsistent and incriminating over time". She said that on their return trip, Pankey "uncharacteristically listened to the radio, searching for news of the girl's disappearance". 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. According to court documents, in November, Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief, which are both misdemeanors. A Greeley detective accessed the interior video surveillance from NOCO Nutrition. [13] Decades later, Pankey provided investigators with documents concerning this trip, which police said contained "false statements and superfluous details". [21], Pankey knew he was a person of interest in September 2019 when he was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman. [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". 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. While Vega was motionless on the floor, Vallejos laid the weapon on the counter and walked back toward the restroom and office area. On Monday, Weld Judge Vincente Vigil imposed the maximum sentence of 60 years in the . 2A 23-year-old will spend 60 years behind bars for shooting and killing a Greeley man in October 2020. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. At 6:36 p.m., Vallejos followed Vega behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet, 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. [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15 mi (24 km) from her home. 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. Vallejos also claimed he had no rights and didnt understand them. In a matter of three days, on October 12, 2020, police arrested Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree murder in Jonelle's case. 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. 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. They are currently retired and living in Costa Rica. Records indicate he struck her in the head and delivered numerous blows. Pankey told the newspaper that he did not know Jonelle or the Matthews family and had only heard about them following the disappearance. Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. Jan 18, 2022 Updated Jan 18, 2022. 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 . Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked into Weld County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and sexual assault. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Randy Baker's Wife, Kelly, Found Him Dead On The Floor. If you need anything, we're here," Bowie said. A young woman found dead in the back of her vehicle Friday night in Greeley has been identified, and a suspect is in custody. We're praying for your family. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. but it can also be stressful. When officers arrived at the business, they found Vega's glasses and a lot of blood, along with her finger. Officers found three people dead inside the home. - A Greeley man was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison this week for murdering a woman in 2018. [9] Jonelle's older sister, Jennifer, got home at 10:00 PM, but had not seen her. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Some experts speculate that each of these factors likely played a role in rising homicide rates nationwide. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. 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. 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 witnesses, the assailant who attacked Heather spoke in a womans voice and even blamed the victim for ruining her life. He also had a laceration to the left pectoral muscle and several puncture wounds along his left side. A few co-workers mentioned that although Heather was a wonderful person, a woman named Shawna Nelson had a massive grudge against her. 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. [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. 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. [21], Pankey's ex-wife, Angela Hicks,[21] said they started their trip on December 22, two days after Jonelle's disappearance. Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. August 30, 2022 / 1:01 PM 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 staff at CBS News Colorado is Covering Colorado First. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. 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. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. On surveillance, Vallejos was seen moving her body to the backseat of the vehicle. The jury voted to convict Pankey on a single misdemeanor count of making false statements to police, but was unable to come to a unanimous verdict on the kidnapping and murder charges. The 2019 Greeley crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. He returned seconds later with his right hand covered in blood before going outside to pull Vegas vehicle closer to the business. It showed the suspect, Marcos Vallejos, enter the store at 5:36 p.m., while customers were inside. When the police initially approached Shawna, she insisted on her innocence and denied being involved in Heathers murder. 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Greeley resident Leandra Walker never met Vega or her family, but she left flowers and a poem at the store. The Matthews notified Vierra about what happened and the families became friends. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or @treid71 on Twitter. Her father arrived home at 9:30 PM and found the garage door open, but no one was in the house. However, once she clocked out and was about to return home, a dark figure approached her in the parking lot. Police have arrested a suspect and charged him with murder. 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. [21] Pankey had claimed that on the evening of Jonelle's abduction, a rake was used to cover up tracks left in the snow. When produced in court, Shawna maintained her innocence but was soon convicted of first-degree murder. According to the Greeley. However, from the looks of it, the cops seemingly had an immediate breakthrough as there were several eyewitnesses to the murder. 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. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. He laid the weapon on the couch and placed Vega on the cover. Just after 6:15 p.m., the last customer left the store, leaving Vega alone inside with Vallejos, the affidavit says. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. but it can also be stressful. [2] In 1994, Jonelle was declared legally dead. Only metro areas with populations of at least 250,000 residents and at least one homicide in 2019 were considered. They asked anyone with more information about the case to call Detective Onderlinde at 970-350-9676. 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. At 6:25 p.m., Vallejos got up from his table and walked to the restroom. In metropolitan areas across the country, the increase in homicides last year eclipsed the national surge in some cases, many times over. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. Later, police said he referred to his right arm as the one that kills people. GREELEY, Colo. ( KDVR) The family of a 22-year-old woman who was killed Friday night has identified her as Angie Vega. 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. 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. 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. 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. Lets delve into the details surrounding the crime and find out more, shall we? Police continue to investigate the shooting. After, Vallejos removed a dark-colored cover from a nearby couch using the hatchet. / CBS Colorado. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Her remains were found this week", "Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) Greeley CO, 1984", "Remains ID'd as those of Colorado girl missing 34 years", "Idaho Man Convicted in 1984 Murder of 12-Year-Old Colorado Girl", "After haunting Colorado for three decades, there is new hope in the Jonelle Matthews case", "Jonelle Matthews discovery provides closure for family, but new chapter is only just begun", "Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)COLD CASE FILESJonelle Matthews", "Greeley girl's disappearance still a mystery after 25 years", "Colorado girl's disappearance still a mystery", "Jonelle Matthews disappearance anniversary: Timeline of events", "After 30 Years, They've Found Jonelle Matthews.