However, once she clocked out and was about to return home, a dark figure approached her in the parking lot. Jonelle's shoes and shawl were near a heater in the family room, a place she often sat. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. 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. The affidavit says he was out of camera view. [21] He was held without bail at the Ada County Jail in Boise until he was extradited to Colorado. In a matter of three days, on October 12, 2020, police arrested Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree murder in Jonelle's case. The. 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. "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, Colo. ( KDVR) The family of a 22-year-old woman who was killed Friday night has identified her as Angie Vega. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Police said the missing woman was found dead in the backseat. Greeley Police said officers were searching the area near where Vega's car was found and spotted Vallejos nearby. Multiple bullets hit the kneeling woman, who immediately collapsed on the ground while the assailant made a quick escape. 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 shuffled papers in and out of his black backpack and wrote on them for an hour. 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. She is being held in Weld County Jail without bond on charges of . They asked anyone with more information about the case to call Detective Onderlinde at 970-350-9676. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Police said Saturday they were investigating incident as possible murder-suicide, Yellow crime tape blocks off an area. Following extradition from Idaho, Pankey made his first appearance in a Colorado courtroom in Greeley on October 30, 2020.[24]. 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. Pankey repeatedly claimed to have knowledge of the crime and had asked "for immunity in exchange for information". Jonelle's sister married and moved out of Colorado. 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. 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 Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. The tree died after a few years and a plaque inscribed with Jonelle's name disappeared. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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 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. Vallejos retrieved the piece of paper he left at the table earlier, folded it and placed it at the end of the counter. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Police continue to investigate the shooting. Later, police said he referred to his right arm as the one that kills people. She found it on the job, working as a 911 dispatcher, and falling in love with Sheriff's deputy Ken Nelson. [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". 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. Greeley Police said they were called just before 8 p.m. Friday to a report of suspicious activity at Noco. He also claimed to have watched students walking home from the middle school which Jonelle attended. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She said theyre pushing for better safety in this area. [13][21] According to the 2020 indictment statement, shortly following their return to Greeley, Pankey started digging in their yard. 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. Meet the news team or contact us. Deputies arrested him about an hour after finding his mother, 66-year-old June Martinez Faudoa, killed in her home just outside Eaton. Upon arrival, officers found the victim on the floor of the garage while two witnesses were providing help to the severely injured man. 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. All data in this story is at the metro area level from the FBI. Suspect Marcos Vallejos, 24, has been arrested and booked. There were 16 homicides reported in the area in 2020, up 220% from five in 2019. He laid the weapon on the couch and placed Vega on the cover. He was last booked into the Weld County Jail on July 6, on suspicion of first-degree assault. [21], Pankey knew he was a person of interest in September 2019 when he was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman. He has an advisement hearing scheduled for this charge 9 a.m. Aug. 18. [21] Pankey had claimed that on the evening of Jonelle's abduction, a rake was used to cover up tracks left in the snow. 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. 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. They are currently retired and living in Costa Rica. Greeley Police arrested Marcos Vallejos in the death of Angie Vega. Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. A little after 10:30 p.m., police found Vega's vehicle a little over a mile away, near 71st Avenue and 20th Street. but it can also be stressful. 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. [5] UNC lost to NAU, 62-59, in overtime. He cut a cover off a couch inside the shop, wrapped her body in the cover, put her in the backseat of her own vehicle and drove away, the affidavit states. Just after 6:15 p.m., the last customer left the store, leaving Vega alone inside with Vallejos, the affidavit says. A witness told police they saw a lot of blood and a hatchet at the business before police arrived. [21], The police announced that Pankey had long been a person of interest in the case. At about that time, a car stored on their property caught fire and the burned car "was disposed of at a salvage yard". RELATED: 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. Police said the investigation is still ongoing. In 2007, Shawna Nelson was a former Weld County police dispatcher who was married to a Weld County Sheriff, Deputy Ken Nelson. [10] At 8:15 PM, Jonelle arrived home in Greeley, Colorado, after getting a ride from her friend, DeeAnna Ross, and DeeAnna's father. She cherished life and those in it! Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. [2], Years after Jonelle's disappearance, her parents moved to the Philippines. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. When detectives examined the surveillance video, they learned Vallejos entered the business at 5:36 p.m. while other customers were inside. Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer. We want safety, so the powers that be put more lights up here. [26] 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 . David . Seconds later, he was back in the frame without the hatchet. Vegas body was inside that car. However, Ignacio soon realized his mistake, and apart from breaking up with Shawna, even gave up his parental rights. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. / CBS Colorado. but it can also be stressful. Surprisingly, the killer was dressed in a black robe and was hiding their face with a grim reaper mask. She also said this trip was unexpected. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Police determined Jaramillo was hanging out with others in the garage when an argument broke out and the victim intervened. His bond was set to $100,000. That's about a mile from where the attack happened. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Vallejos briefly interacted with Vega at the counter before sitting down at a nearby table. President Ronald Reagan mentioned Jonelle Matthews in a speech on March 7, 1985, from Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building. Community members like Irene Castillo said Vega was a sweet girl who was loved by many. 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. We love Greeley, we love the community. At 6:25 p.m., Vallejos got up from his table and walked to the restroom. Besides, she was highly dedicated to her husband and their relationship meant the world to Heather. 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. 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 City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools and left millions of Americans out of work. The Moving can be an exciting experience. At 1:51 a.m. July 24, Evans police responded to a stabbing in a garage in the 4000 block of Mariposa Lane. Tawnya Bowie, who owns the business next door to Noco Nutrition, said they hope to support the family through some kind of fundraising event. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. Records indicate he struck her in the head and delivered numerous blows. Mar. The staff at CBS News Colorado is Covering Colorado First. Only metro areas with populations of at least 250,000 residents and at least one homicide in 2019 were considered. Firearms sales soared, and tens of millions of new guns proliferated across communities nationwide. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) A 22-year-old woman was murdered Friday night at NOCO Nutrition at the end of her shift. When the police initially approached Shawna, she insisted on her innocence and denied being involved in Heathers murder. She was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. Police found Vallejos backpack in the front seat of the car. The victim had a deep laceration from behind his left ear extending to the base of his skull. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. 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. GREELEY, Colo. Content Warning: This article includes topics that may be sensitive for some readers, including sexual assault. The person reported seeing a body covered in the backseat. 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. A news release from the coroners office notes they were family. She was found dead in. During his interview with a detective, Vallejos made statements about Jesus Christ, Sophia, Mexicans, Mormons, magnets and politics, records said. Police have arrested a suspect and charged him with murder. 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. "We're here for you. According to the press release . SHE had dreams! People from the community came by all day Saturday to pay their respects. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana). NBC News Dateline: Internal Affairs chronicles the brutal murder and shows how through efficient police investigation, law enforcement officers were to bring the perpetrator to justice. [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. [14] She was mentioned in the Congressional Record for the United States House of Representatives on April 2, 1985, page 7224. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 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. On Thursday, the coroner's office identified them as Richard Kraus, 83, Patricia Karus, 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. At this point, Vega was draped in a blanket. Angie always put her mother and siblings first!". Internal Affairs, a podcast spinoff from the long-running news program Dateline NBC, is correspondent Josh Mankiewicz's six-episode exploration of a Colorado crime: the 2007 murder in Greeley of . You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Their father began to worry and called police. Greeley, Colorado, is one of only four large U.S. metro areas where murders more than tripled in the last year. [9] The phone call was the last time anyone was known to have spoken with Jonelle. Hicks claimed to have heard Pankey muttering in response, accusing the minister of being a false prophet. Discuss Greeley, Colorado (CO) on our hugely popular Colorado forum. She had a beautiful bright smile that could light up a room! Jaramillo has several active warrants, but has not been taken into custody for the July 24 stabbing. GREELEY, CO - JAN. 28: University of Northern Colorado junior Hannah Simental dribbles around Northern Arizona's Regan Schenck during the Bears' basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Greeley. On Oct. 29, 2020, Greeley officers responded to a shooting around 3 a.m. in the 1100 block alley between 11th and 12th streets. When he arrived at NOCO Nutrition, the worker went inside to find a hatchet and a lot of blood, arrest records said. While Vega was motionless on the floor, Vallejos laid the weapon on the counter and walked back toward the restroom and office area. 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. [13] Decades later, Pankey provided investigators with documents concerning this trip, which police said contained "false statements and superfluous details". [21], Pankey's ex-wife, Angela Hicks,[21] said they started their trip on December 22, two days after Jonelle's disappearance. 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. A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. [15] As recently as 2018, Greeley Police had been re-contacting witnesses and applying the latest forensic advances in their investigation. [21] In 2008, Pankey's son was murdered. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. The suspect is Jessica Reeves-Burrola, according to jail records. Arrest affidavit reveals timeline of gruesome sexual assault, murder in Greeley, sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. [13], A few months following Jonelle's disappearance, Pankey attended a church service where a minister claimed that Jonelle would be found safe. When the police began investigating Heathers death, they turned to the eyewitnesses who were present on the scene and recorded their accounts. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Officers responded to the convenience store and found Vegas body. The Weld County Coroners Office on Thursday publicly identified the three people killed in a suspected murder-suicide over the weekend in Greeley. Mogensen's father was reportedly "especially excited to see justice". Vallejos returned to the cameras view to retrieve the hatchet and take it back to the office area. Vallejos was booked into the Weld County Jail on first-degree murder and sexual assault charges. 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. We're praying for your family. 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. Jan 18, 2022 Updated Jan 18, 2022. When officers arrived, the store was in disarray with large amounts of blood found inside. Some experts speculate that each of these factors likely played a role in rising homicide rates nationwide. 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The Moving can be an exciting experience. She was funny! Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and sexual assault. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. Connect with Trevor at (970) 392-4492, treid@greeleytribune.com or @treid71 on Twitter. On Monday, Weld Judge Vincente Vigil imposed the maximum sentence of 60 years in the . This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Every picture of Vega at the memorials shows her smile. [21] In 2018, Pankey had campaigned for the Idaho Republican Party's nomination for the position of governor of Idaho. [27] He received a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Lets not have this repeat again,Castillo said. Shawna Louise Buntz Nelson (pictured, left) was always looking for love. Vallejos shuffled papers in and out of his backpack, drawing and writing on them, for nearly an hour. Vega and her vehicle were both missing. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Radin at (970) 350-9671. Vallejos failed to show up for a court date in March. Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. Homicide is Soaring in the Greeley, CO Metro Area Samuel Stebbins Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. Pankey pleaded not guilty for those crimes . Weld County Courthouse. The last customer left at 6:13 p.m. and drove away at 6:16 p.m. Less than 10 minutes later, at 6:25 p.m., police said that the video shows Vallejos walking away from the table with his backpack but leaving a sheet of paper on the table. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. Paramedics arrived to take the victim to North Colorado Medical Center. The 2019 Greeley crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. For 11 minutes, he was out of the cameras view, arrest records said. In the minutes that followed, Vallejos made spontaneous and unsolicited statements that he killed someone. The man saw signs of someone being dragged as well as surveillance footage showing someone taking Vega. 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. In 1997, Gloria Matthews received a letter from Vierra requesting permission to visit Jonelle. Homicides are rising at a record pace in the United States. After, Vallejos removed a dark-colored cover from a nearby couch using the hatchet. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. Footage of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer rattled confidence in American law enforcement and sparked nationwide protests.