At approximately 3:45 AM this morning, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing person from an address near Cimarron Hills in unincorporated El Paso County.
The caller was unable to provide emergency call takers with the individual’s last known location.
Deputies immediately began efforts to locate the missing person using available cell phone location data. Those efforts led to the discovery of the missing individual’s vehicle on Spectrum Loop in Colorado Springs, where evidence indicated a crime may have occurred.
During the investigation, deputies contacted a person in the area who had information about the missing individual. Based on the information gained, deputies responded to the Falcon area of unincorporated El Paso County and initiated an extensive ground and air search.
A short time later, deputies located the individual near Eastonville Road and Hodgen Road, near the Woodlake trailhead.
Unfortunately, the individual was deceased.
Detectives from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and are conducting a homicide investigation. Based on information gathered thus far, investigators believe all individuals involved in this incident have been identified.
27-year-old Khalya Dawson was arrested and is charged with:
- 1st Degree Murder
- Aggravated Robbery
- Motor Vehicle Theft
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
There was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to our partners at the Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Springs Police Department, and El Paso County Search and Rescue for their assistance during this investigation and search effort.