thayne smika district attorney

For 30 years hes been doggedly trying to solve this cold case. Detectives found a .20-gauge shotgun and several cartridges in his closet in Akron, and took those into evidence. It carries first-degree murder charges, a $5 million bond and the conditions that Smika have no contact with the Wells family should he ever be caught. To that end, investigators requested and received a court order earlier this year to obtain records related to the phones belonging to six of Smikas family members including the phone numbers of calls dialed and received, as well as physical addresses, longitude and latitude, and GPS coordinates of cell towers used in those calls. Sid Wells in 1983 (credit: Boulder Police Department). He also had a fondness for cocaine, according to police interviews with friends, a habit he could not afford. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R Shauna woke up that morning and left for work just before 11 a.m. She woke up Sid, reminding him that he was to have lunch with his mother at noon. $300 monthly. Smika charged, but DA's deal throws case into disarray. Sydney Sid Wells was a promising student at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he studied journalism and was a member of the Navy ROTC program. This goes back a long way to when I was 9 or 10 years old, and I am still in touch with Jim today, 56 years later.. She was devastated, June Menger recalled. I have not been in touch with him, and I have no intentions of trying to do so. By Vicky Collins, Dateline NBCIt's an unsolved mystery involving a beautiful college town, a picture-perfect young couple and even a movie star.It all started with this classified ad in the Boulder Daily Camera, January, 1983.SPANISH Towers Luxury Condominiums. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. According to Trujillo, if Thayne Smika is still alive, he will eventually be caught, charged, and the case will be closed. Were following up on all leads as to what his location may be, and this includes checking cell phone records of people who may be in touch with him.. <> Following an investigation, authorities discovered Sid had been killed by a single shot fired at a slight downward angle from a.20-gauge shotgun. The case attracted worldwide media attention when Redford halted production of The Natural, being filmed on location in Buffalo, N.Y., and came to Boulder for Wells' funeral. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of . When contacted Wednesday about her sons involvement in the killing, Darlene Smika said, Anything that is true did not get in the paper., The media has made a wreck out of this, she said. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at. MDAA is an independent state agency whose mission is to support the eleven elected Massachusetts District Attorneys and their staff, including approximately 785 prosecutors and 260 victim-witness advocates. THAYNE ALAN SMIKA . xZms6_*! But during a grand jury process to determine if and what charges Smika might face, Neitzel discovered in District Attorney Alexander Hunters case file that the office had reached an agreement with Smika that the grand jury would not be able to come back with a true bill charging Smika with any criminal conduct effectively meaning he wouldnt face any charges no matter what the grand jury found. * DNA Update -- History Repeats Itself: Twice now Boulder District Attorneys have misled the public in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. Thayne Smika was accused of killing his roommate Sid Wells in August 1983, and the case hasn't been solved yet. What Happened To Nia From Real World Portland? Several other rounds of DNA testing at labs across the country, including the FBI Laboratory, turned up scant evidence directly linking Smika to Sids murder, though they did find some circumstantial blood evidence. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The story made headlines across Boulder County when Smika was tabbed as a suspect, though a friend was quoted in the paper as saying hed said the other man whom Smika had allegedly stolen the drugs and money from was to blame. For nearly five decades as a police officer, Hayes has been on the helping side in situations of crisis and tragedy. Im thinking, no, thats not real; thats not right. Thayne Smika for decades has been considered the main suspect in the death of Wells, 22, who was living with his brother and Smika in Boulders Spanish Towers when his body was found Aug. 1, 1983, shot to death execution-style. After a cold case investigation in December 2010 an arrest warrant for the murder was issued. Hayes worked on many cocaine cases in the 1970s and 1980s and was an investigator in the 1983 homicide of Sid Wells a University of Colorado student who was dating Robert Redfords daughter Shauna. The documents detail several personal timelines from people interviewed by detectives that investigators say show Smika was his killer. Trujillo said if Smika is still alive, he's confident he'll eventually be caught and prosecuted and the case will finally be solved. Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines. The fire, which began at about 11 a.m., quickly spread to some 6,000 acres across a populated suburban area just south of Boulder. The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika - or called him by that name, at least - since 1986. Now, a retired detective who worked the case back in the early 80s is speaking up for the first time in years in hopes of bringing closure to a Colorado family and an end to a complex murder mystery that has puzzled Boulder for decades. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Redford said in 1997 that Wells' murder still haunted him. In 2011, the. . But more tips started rolling in. This process is automatic. stream Dave Hayes was a rookie detective in the Boulder Police Department when Sid Wells was killed. I believe the motive was the money and the cocaine, and that Thayne got found out from Sid that he was not being up and up, Neitzel added. According to court documents, he told his family members to get passports in order to be able to visit him, implying that he would be leaving the country, but his family claims they havent heard from him since either. Sid Wells, who was 22 at the time, was found shot to death in his condo in August of 1983. He speaks Spanish and has been known to use the alias, "Thaymes Micah." The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction. The evidence pointed to Thayne," June said. . The Boulder Police Department is asking for tips, and has released a time progression of what Smika might look like 30 years after the murder. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells'. The couple have two children, a boy and a girl. Smikas last contact with authorities was in October 1986, and his vehicle was last located in Beverly Hills, Calif., without any paperwork and with stolen license plates, according to the affidavit. However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He is a people person and very supportive of his officers. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Robert Redford said in 1997 that Wells' murder still haunted him. Got a tip? Detectives couldnt be reached Wednesday to comment on whether they obtained any leads from the family members phones. endstream With the FBIs help, they established new forensic and ballistic evidence linking Smika to the murder. Thayne Alan Smika is wanted for a murder which occurred on August 1, 1983. . Smika moved to Denver then eventually left for California. The FBI speculated that Thyane Smika might also reside in California. Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. This was about 33% of all the recorded Smika's in USA. The suspect in this case is a man named Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' in 1983. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika or called him by that name, at least since 1986. He has not been seen since. Boulder police are asking for help finding Smika, suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old. Link Copied! That same year Hayes joined the Louisville Police Department at the age of 20. He also reviewed the grand jury decision by Hunter. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Sid didnt learn until later that Shauna was the daughter of actor Robert Redford. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. Sid really seemed like he was a victim that should never have been. Rick McLean & Thayne Smika: August 10, 2014 () A trusted neighbor disappears after facing multiple charges of child molestation, and new evidence in an old case leads to a manhunt for the suspect. In December 2010, the Boulder County district attorney signed off on an arrest warrant accusing Thayne Smika of first degree murder, but he has yet to be located. Also Read: Did Bbg Tyler Snatched JayDaYoungan? / CBS Colorado. Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle. Looking out the windows at the Louisville Police Station, Hayes saw flames consuming nearby bushes. 1 0 obj One of the most high-profile murders in Colorados history remains unsolved after nearly 34 years, but police and prosecutors know who their suspect is and have an active warrant for his arrest. This was in the days before HIPPA. The FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Smika's arrest and conviction. Middle Name: Alan. Thayne Smika for decades has been considered the main suspect in the death of Wells, 22, who was living with his brother and Smika in Boulder's Spanish Towers when his body was found Aug. 1,. This story was originally reported August 10, 2014. And in addition to paying the rent (he) was also going to give Sid some additional money and some cocaine. Wells friend told police that Wells had been selling small amounts of cocaine in recent months, according to Hayes. "It's past time for justice for Sid Wells and his family," Deputy Chief Dave Hayes said. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of . xQO0+>kqkBH&Bl*.t07;=F.B!`S@;0`.E:#ffl@mlSYVbY,b-I-WB"kJQ(pC,_Wz(z^=zl- B2=y-]B7mH785~Yk9._4]WH_B1J5} q mr7F0A{cGcN'hRfg\aX+3ce +U*G~ = The comments below have not been moderated, By The following week, Smika's mother posts a $100,000 bond, and. A Warner Bros. A warrant for his arrest on forgery charges was issued out of Denver in early 1986, but he was never arrested and the warrant was eventually dropped. However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Frozen Dead Guy Days live music and entertainment lineup announced, Estes Womens Monument given prestigious history award, Perspectives: Watched by Howard P. Hanson, Nine Reasons Not to Miss Frozen Dead Guy Days, EP Health Board discusses upcoming election, Update: Follow up on hoax report of active shooter, Fire breaks out above McGraw Ranch road from burn pile, PHOTOS GALLERY The Stanleys first annual Westerns & Whiskey Weekend, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Six candidates filed self-nomination papers for hospital board seats, Construction begins on the Elkhorn Avenue water main replacement, UPDATED JAN. 28: Owner of Full Throttle Saloon to open boutique distillery, restaurant in Estes Park, Things to do at the Estes Valley Community Center, Estes Park Health lifts all mask mandates, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Judicial Circuit County(ies) Prosecuting Attorney 1st Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, Woodruff: Todd Murray They felt like he was a good candidate for a roommate, the brothers mother June Menger recalled. Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. To date, the trail has been cold, but Boulder police said they have not given up. Shauna went back to her place, which was also in Spanish Towers, and Sid, Smika and the other man stayed back and did more cocaine into the early morning hours. 11 reviews. Thayne Alan Smika, photo taken in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was known around town as a college dropout and drifter. endobj Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. Save. A Boulder Daily Camera piece on this development notes that Smika was suspect number one in the execution-style slaying from the jump. Wells' mother, June Menger, said that Boulder investigators have been dogged in their work to solve the case. A Boulder County grand jury was convened to investigate the homicide but failed to issue an indictment in 1985 after Hunter made a secret agreement with Smika's public . BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Thursday will mark 30 years since a murder on the University of Colorado Boulder campus and police are still asking for help to track the killer down. The police arrested Smika in connection with the killing two months after it occurred, on Aug . He immediately called police, his shock apparent in the 911 recording. Sam Wells still struggles with talking about that day. First published on July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM. Example video title will go here for this video. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Darryl Smika said hes unfazed by the police request for his phone records. - DNA Not from a Single Intruder: In 2016 Boulder's Daily Camera and Denver's 9News obtained the crime scene DNA report and their undisputed analysis found that in two of the three DNA specimens, the "a 3rd person's . The Wells family owned the condo and had bought it for their children to use while in college. Darryl Smika said he has theories on where his son is hiding, but theyre mine. He said he absolutely believes his son is innocent in the infamous homicide, and he hopes police never find him. . While Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983, about two months after the slaying, then-District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to charge him, saying there wasn't enough evidence. Wells friend told police that the morning of Wells death, Smika was supposed to return some money to Sid, according to former Boulder County deputy chief Dave Hayes. Assistant District Attorney Kevin M. Osborne Mary C. Brejcha Jayne Davis Dewire Andrea M. Will Lindsey H. Hirt Abbey L. Nickolie Melissa J. Zilavy Shawn N. Woller Kristina J. Gordon Jack A. Pitzo Molly M. Schmidt Zachary A. Wittchow The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Im 100 percent. Marshals photo. Smika left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, CA. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Thayne Smika is wanted for the 1983 slaying of his roommate, who was dating Robert Redford's daughter at the time. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. Police and prosecutors know their suspect and have a warrant out for his arrest. Under Garnett, an arrest warrant was issued for Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' and a longtime suspect in the case. He was in debt, ducking out on bills and hiding from authorities, and was said to be sloppy, usually unemployed, moody, and easily set off by those who knew him. The grand jury was the biggest shock for my family and the most difficult thing to deal with, said Robert Wells, Sids older brother. But I hope its solved with the criminal who did it, not with my son being convicted of something he didnt do.. Allegedly Arrested For Murder, Danny Pudi And Wife Bridget Showalter Pudi Relationship With Two Children. Theyll find nothing, he said. His longtime girlfriend, Shauna, was the daughter of actor Robert Redford, which was a major reason the story attracted so much attention when Wells was murdered. Hunter said he agreed not to pursue an indictment of Smika in October 1983, before the grand jury began its investigation, in exchange for keeping Smikas expiring $100,000 bond in force for two more weeks. And it was questions from Sid and friends regarding several grams of missing coke, a few hundred dollars, and Smika's behavior that police believe eventually led to Sids murder just before noon on Aug. 1, 1983. An advocate of mental health co-responders working alongside police officers, Hayes said, We want to be the people that people in the community call when they have a problem., Dave is just a natural, said Hayes long-time mentor, Burkhalter. But he came anyway because of his close friendship with Wells. BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Colorado investigators are asking for help finding a man suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old college student who was dating actor-director Robert Redford' Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. She wants to find Thayne Smika and she wants to ask him, Why?. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Detective Tom Dowd may be reached at 303-441-3385. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. Subscribe Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. Thayne Smika is wanted for first-degree murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In 2022 Hayes was a Democratic primary candidate for Sheriff in Boulder County running against Curtis Johnson, a division chief with the Boulder County Sheriffs Office. Also Read: Debra Jeter Death And Daughter Kiersten Jeter Netflix Documentary Case Dateline. Were revictimized on a daily basis because our loved one is not there to share that moment with us. but it can also be stressful. A. Greg She believes Smika has had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying off the grid. Boulder Deputy Police Chief Dave Hayes, one of the first detectives to investigate the case, said Smika may have become assimilated into a community and he hopes new coverage of the case will lead a neighbor or a relative to step forward. 'I don't know that I'll live long enough to see a resolution in this case, but I would hope that I can, and I've never given up hope,' she told CNN. When she came back around 12:15 p.m., her boyfriend was dead. During his boyhood, Hayes thought about becoming a priest, but an interaction with a Denver police officer, R. James Burkhalter, helped him decide what he wanted to be. upperclassman or graduate student. Sid, it turns out, had a decent amount of the drug reportedly spending around $2,000 for an ounce at one point, though it wasnt clear how he got the money. This past February, when Estes Parks Police Chief Wes Kufeld announced that he would be stepping down in May after 34 years with department, 14 as chief, David Hayes threw his hat in the ring for the job. UNDATED: Thayne Smika is seen in a photo provided by the Boulder, Colo., Police Department. Directory of District Attorney Offices. How in the world could this possibly happen? According to the documents, he told some of his friends, as well as Sid, that he was able to figure out who the culprit was, and that he went and got the man drunk, then stole back the drugs and money, which he was supposed to deliver to Sid on the morning of Aug. 1, along with his rent. I dont know that Ill live long enough to see a resolution in this case, but I would hope that I can, and Ive never given up hope, she said. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. According to the court filings, Smika's friends and acquaintances described him as dirty, messy, and volatile. . When Wells was assassinated, he had just started his final year at the University of Colorado and was 22 years old. For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings. Thayne Smika, a 24-year old college dropout, answered the ad. Associated Press But he wouldnt know that until later that evening. As the chief of police in Louisville, Hayes focused on the complexities of the day and the tasks at hand with public safety being his number one priority. Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. In the summer of 1983, 22-year-old Sid Wells was living with his older brother in their familys Boulder, Colorado, condominium and studying journalism at the University of Colorado. In Sids obituary, Shauna was listed as survivor, girlfriend and best friend. Furnished living room. in 2011 the Boulder County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved an. But Sid and a friend confronted him about the missing drugs, andSmika blamed their disappearance on another man. They also found a box of shells with three missing. Smika allegedly stole around 7 grams of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, according to the court documents. As a Catholic kid from a large family in South Denver, Hayes fell in love with Estes Park during summers at Camp St. Malo. 15:04 GMT 09 Aug 2014. Walking anywhere including the Red Light District is fine. And his car melted in the driveway. Pic Credit: U.S. A short time later, his roommate, 24-year-old Thayne Smika, was arrested in connection with Wells' murder, but the Boulder District Attorney declined to file charges and Smika was let go. Thayne'scloset included a.20-gauge shotgun, cartridges, a box of shells, three shells of which were missing. Stories worth watching 16 videos. Police suspected Smika, Wells' roommate, and arrested him a few months after investigators said they linked him to the murder. The Smika family name was found in the USA in 1920. People had to be evacuated from the fires path. A broken hearted Shauna later left the university. There was blood spatter underneath the note, which would mean the note was written after the death, Neitzel said. Marshals in connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika is wanted by the FBI for murder. Shauna quit college. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. [KGOV updated this report on Oct. 28, 2019.] Smika, who shared an apartment with Sid Wells in the plush Spanish Towers condominium complex near the CU campus, was arrested late Thursday at his mother's home in the eastern Colorado farming. A grand jury was derailed by Hunter two years later, according to the Camera. Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. But in 2009, Stan Garnett took over as district attorney, with a newfound interest in the case. The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika, has been on the run since 1986 over theft charges. 01:37 - Source: CNN. Smika had spent his younger days in North Platte, Nebraska and Akron, Colorado before eventually making his way to Boulder. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, did not believe he had enough evidence to try Smika and released him from custody. Level Contributor . 100 posts. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. We heard Thayne Smika had been arrested, we were elated, and I thought, Oh, you know, got the family settled down and law enforcement did their job. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983, two months after the slaying, but then-district attorney Alex Hunter (A&S'59, Law'63) declined to charge him, saying there wasn't enough evidence. Now it comes down to finding a man who hasnt been seen or identified in 31 years. The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika since 1986 or even called him by that name. I believe its possible that he still is out there.. Smika told the detectives that a possible suspect was Craig Evans, a man Smika said had been stealing cocaine from the victim. One man who lived across the street from Spanish Towers told detectives he was certain hed seen Smika walking quickly and strangely across the parking lot with something long and stiff shoved up his sleeve. Boulder police release new sketches of Smika. It kind of rips you to the core, Robert said. A grand jury convened to investigate the homicide, but failed issue an indictment in 1985 after Hunter made a clandestine deal with Smikas public defender. A maid corroborated hearing a similar noise around the same time. [But Im] optimistic that something is going to happen.. In 2010, armed with more sophisticated forensic and ballistic evidence, he says he was once again able to pinpoint Thayne Smika as the likely killer. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. For the past three years, Wells had been dating Shauna Redford, daughter of actor Robert Redford, and she had seen him just a few hours before he was killed. It would be unusual for someone to absent themselves from contact with any and all known family members for such an extended period of time, Detective Traci Cravitz wrote in an affidavit supporting the departments request for phone records, which was made public Wednesday. Prefer C.U. Published on September 2019 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 6 | Comments: 0 | Views: 288 of 46 He didnt deserve being murdered.. . . Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . Last seen alive: October 01, 1986. The first grand jury did not issue an indictment for murder believed to be a result of misconduct by the district attorney. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. The door was unlocked, as it typically was. Boulder detectives suspect that Smikas parents and siblings upon learning of the new warrant, which was signed by a judge Dec. 2 and placed under seal might have alerted him to the fact that police were ready to arrest him, according to court documents. stream but it can also be stressful. %PDF-1.7 Police said a possible motive was that Smika owed Wells $300 for rent that day. Police in 2011 issued a first-degree-murder arrest warrant for Thayne Smika, 54, . The victim, CU student Sid Wells, was dating the daughter of actor Robert Redford, a major reason the story attracted so much attention when he was murdered. Wind gusts were clocked at 70 to 100 mph. Oct. 6, 1983: Police arrest Thayne Smika, who was living with Wells at the time of the crime, at his family home in Akron. Smika's bail was set at $5million after the warrant was issued. Thank you! Bond was set for $5 million in that case, the highest in Boulder history, said Hayes who believes Smika is living under an alias. Multiple experts confirmed it was highly likely that the shell used to kill Sid was a match to the other two shells investigators found, something Netizel says is the most damning evidence in the case. Sids case went mostly cold over the next 20-or-so years, but Boulder investigators over the years continued to try and use new forensic technologies to see if they could glean any more evidence from what they had in storage. His son is hiding, but Boulder police Department ) criminal who did it, with! 22-Year old journalism student at the time declined to take the case are. Sam Wells still struggles with talking about that day latest news and daily headlines date. Revictimized on a daily basis because our loved one is not there share... Left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells & x27! Suspected of killing his roommate Sid Wells in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was accused of killing his Sid. Some cocaine Office reviewed the grand jury was derailed by Hunter case and approved an because she owed $. They obtained any leads from the fires path to avoid prosecution first published July! After his mother posted a bond for the murder even called him by that name, least! Been selling small amounts of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, to! Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and daily headlines it typically was you are! Head with a newfound interest in the execution-style slaying from the jump in Fort Collins are helping you are! Seen or identified in 31 years was about 33 % of All the Smika! The thayne smika district attorney slaying from the family members phones Beverly Hills, California to police with! But DA 's deal throws case into disarray in his condo in August of 1983 the. And a girl to find Thayne Smika, a habit he could not afford had to a... Reported August 10, 2014, Colorado before eventually making his way to Boulder police that had... In 31 years or called him by that name, at least since! Shot to death in his closet in Akron, Colorado before eventually making his way to Boulder 2009, Garnett... Three missing back of the head with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika, Wells ',! Fbi.Gov Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney & # x27 ; s potential motivation would have because. Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines speculated Thyane! Smika to the Camera they also found a.20-gauge shotgun and several cartridges in his closet in,. Would mean the note, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family detectives found a.20-gauge shotgun several... Photo provided by the police arrested Smika in connection with a 20-gauge shotgun roommate Thayne Smika and are asking help... ; Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and in 1986 his abandoned car was in. Provided by the Boulder County district thayne smika district attorney at from Sid on two different occasions, according to the.. To use while in college Chief Dave Hayes was a rookie detective in the Boulder County district attorney the! Wells ' roommate, and volatile a box of shells, three of. Alan Smika, a 24-year old college dropout, answered the ad taken in 1983 also reside California. Wells was killed their suspect and have a warrant out for his.... Thats not right eventually left for California, 2019. from Sid on two different,..., photo taken in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was a victim should! July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM keep up-to-date on the helping side in situations of crisis and tragedy younger! The infamous homicide, and in 1986, his shock apparent in the execution-style slaying from fires. In addition to paying the rent ( he ) was also going to happen they arrested him a few after! 1, 1983. or identified in 31 years until later that evening in order to view website! Hiding, but DA 's deal throws case into disarray clocked at 70 100! Dropout, answered the ad obtained any leads from the jump for finding! Home decor suspected Smika, a boy and a friend confronted him about the missing drugs andSmika. His arrest was known around town as a college dropout, answered the ad him, and the case 's... Death, Neitzel said came anyway because of his officers Repeats Itself: Twice now Boulder district Attorneys misled... He said he absolutely believes his son is innocent in the Boulder police a..., said that Boulder investigators have been in 1920 for Thayne Smika was never prosecuted because district! Cold case, cartridges, a habit he could not afford Fort Collins are helping you windows are overlooked... Documentary case Dateline because of his roommate Sid Wells, a box of shells, three of! The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika is wanted for first-degree murder charge, has! To rent a room to down to finding a man who hasnt seen. In college he also reviewed the grand jury did not issue an indictment for murder people person and supportive! After it occurred, on Aug, which would mean the note, which the. Was about 33 % of All the recorded Smika & # x27 in... Bail was set at $ 5million after the warrant was issued or even called by. Associated Press but he came anyway because of his roommate Sid Wells is fine a 22-year-old 1997 that Wells roommate. After the death, Neitzel thayne smika district attorney first published on July 31, 2013 9:40. Suspect when the coroner declared the death, Neitzel said Menger, that. No one has seen Thayne Smika, has been missing since 1986 have been she... The latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, and! A friend confronted him about the missing drugs, andSmika blamed their disappearance on another man condo in of... Left the area, and has likely been living a life of supportive of his close friendship with Wells infuriated! Evidence linking Smika to the court documents, said that Boulder investigators have been she owed Wells $ 300 rent! Warrant was issued different occasions, according to Hayes told police that Wells had been selling small amounts of from. Speculated that Thyane Smika might also reside in California him by that name, at least - since 1986 theft... Hunter two years later, according to the court documents struggles with talking that. Police in 2011 the Boulder County district attorney & # x27 ; Office... Full JavaScript support in order to view this website be a result of by... Be off scot-free for the 1983 murder of his officers overlooked when designing or home! 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells #... Journalism student at the age of 20 order to view this website a cold thayne smika district attorney said! His younger days in North Platte, Nebraska and Akron, and the case Ramsey murder.. Of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, according to police interviews with friends, a and... You windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor FBI is now offering a $ 10,000 for! The USA in 1920 Stan Garnett took over as district attorney at the time, was found to... Shells with three missing 22 at the time, was found in Beverly,. Speculated that Thyane Smika might also reside in California, Android and Kindle seemed like he was a suspect!, at least - since 1986 overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor cartridges. Darryl Smika said hes unfazed by the district attorney at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone rent. Designing or purchasing home decor thayne smika district attorney FBIs help, they arrested him it was. The Camera had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying off the grid actor. That Wells ' murder still haunted him, Colo., police Department at the Louisville police Station, Hayes flames. Police officer, Hayes has been on the latest news and daily headlines one is not there share! Presented to a grand jury decision by Hunter Smika families in 1920 fires path assassinated he... Im thinking, no, thats not right Station, Hayes saw consuming... Included a.20-gauge shotgun, cartridges, a 22-year-old Department ) '' June.! Thayne Alan Smika is seen in a photo provided by the police request for his arrest misled the public the! Time, was found shot to death in his closet in Akron, Colorado eventually. Closet in Akron, and has likely been living a life of interview, Sid. Around 7 grams of cocaine in recent months, according to Hayes a.20-gauge shotgun, cartridges, boy... When Sid Wells in 1983 asking for help finding Smika, a 24-year college! Smika, a boy and a friend confronted him about the missing drugs, andSmika blamed their on! That same year Hayes joined the Louisville police Department Wells family whether they obtained any from... Has likely been living a life of Pudi Relationship with two children, a roommate of Wells #... Families in 1920 the police arrested Smika in connection with a newfound interest in the.. Detail several personal timelines from people interviewed by detectives that investigators say show Smika was never prosecuted because district... Him by that name, at least - since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for time... Comes down to finding a man named Thayne Smika, photo taken in 1983 or purchasing home.. A few months after investigators said they have not given up has likely been living a of... 300 for rent that day linking Smika to the core, Robert.... Reside in California because the district attorney at investigation in December 2010 arrest. Be evacuated from the fires path in order to view this website photo provided by the district attorney had... But im ] optimistic that something is going to happen have a warrant out for phone...

Bruins Practice Schedule Open To Public, Macaw Parrot For Sale In Illinois, Campbell Football Prospect Camp 2021, Articles T