Cold Cases

General Information

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office currently has 19 cold homicide cases and 11 missing person cases with suspicious circumstances. If you have any information on any of the Sheriff’s Office unsolved cases, please contact Dispatch at (719) 390-5555 and ask for Investigations or call the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 719-520-7777.

Contact Information

Dispatch

(719) 390-5555

Harris was partially clothed and her purse was found nearby. The Coroner determined that Harris’ cause of death was strangulation and manner of death a homicide. At the time of her death she had three small children and two grown children. Harris did not drive a car, she was known to walk and was working at United Supermarkets located on N. 30th St. and was living nearby on 30th St.

An autopsy determined that the cause of death was multiple gunshot sounds and the manner of death was homicide. The victim was wearing brown shirt, blue jeans with a brown belt, green socks and watch with a green band on his left wrist. A pair of boots were found on the ground next to the truck. The victim’s vehicle had several bullet defects. Prior to his murder, Romish had reportedly been visiting friends and family in Grand Junction, CO. At the time of his death, Romish was a US Army Soldier, stationed at Ft. Carson, CO.

Delgado refused to give the perpetrators the money and was subsequently shot in the head. The suspects were described as a Hispanic male, 20-30 years of age, 5’10”, 140-150 pounds with a stocking over his face; a white male, 20-30 years of age, 5’7″, 130-140 pounds with a red and white bandana over his face. The suspect vehicle may have been a gold-green Cadillac with license plate ZRY-273. At the time of his murder, Delgado was married.

Suspects in the Cristobal F. Delgado Case

Gaylord had previously worked at the Starlite Lounge in Fountain and the Circus Room Bar in Colorado Springs. Gaylord’s body was discovered on December 12, 1978 on Barrett Rd., south of Colorado Springs. The Coroner determined her cause of death was a result of blunt force trauma. Gaylord was fully clothed and her purse was located near her body.

An autopsy determined Bennington’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and manner of death was a homicide. At the time of his murder, Bennington had a young son and daughter. He had previously worked for the Silver Tongue Devil Saloon in Green Mountain Falls, CO and Trout Haven Fishing Resort in Divide, CO and had also previously lived in Alamosa, CO.

An autopsy determined she died from blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was a homicide. Several pieces of jewelry were found with her remains. Bowers may have been planning to go workout on Ft. Carson at the time of her disappearance. After that, she may have had a job interview at PT’s Nightclub, Colorado Springs, CO. Not long prior to her death, Bowers had moved from Oklahoma to Fountain, CO. The residence she was living at at the time of her murder was located at 122 E. Ohio St., Fountain, CO.

The forensic investigation reflects the remains had been in place for one to four years. The Calvin Klein denim jeans were manufactured in 1981. Missing Persons files in many jurisdictions were searched over the years and the remains went unidentified until 2026 when investigative genetic genealogy was used to identify the remains as Peter Joseph Paskovich Jr. Paskovich had last resided in the San Antonio, TX area but had ties to Colorado Springs in the early 1970s. It is believed he was murdered between August and December 1985. His cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

After Robson was reported missing, investigators searched her residence and noted that it appeared to have been recently cleaned. Robson had a young son at the time of her murder. Her remains were discovered on May 11, 1987 near Falcon, CO. An autopsy determined the manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

An autopsy determined that Mueller’s manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was two gunshot wounds. His home address at the time of his disappearance was 2009 Ontario Dr., Colorado Springs, CO. Mueller owned a 1974 Datsun B210 station wagon which was blue in color. The vehicle was in his brother’s possession after Mueller’s body was discovered. Mueller had previously attended Pueblo Community College

Due to advanced decomposition, an autopsy could not identify the cause or manner of death, however the Coroner listed it as a presumptive homicide. It is not believed that Aguilera traveled to the location where her remains were found on her own. At the time of her death, Aguilera may have been working as a sex worker. She had been living at 1551 Chadwick Dr., Colorado Springs, CO and had three children.

Lewis’ wrists were bound with rope. The Coroner determined Lewis had been strangled and there were signs of physical assault. Lewis had been living at the Smith Group Home located at 1675 Arctic Place and/or 724 Andover St., Colorado Springs, CO until September 1, 1988 when she reportedly ran away. She was pregnant with her second child at the time of her murder and may have been earning money as a sex worker. She may have been last seen getting into a silver vehicle driven by a black male.

The Coroner determined that Asher died of a cocaine overdose, but could not determine whether her death was a result of foul play. Asher had blood on her right hand, but no other signs of trauma. The Coroner did not believe Asher died at the location where her remains were found, indicating that someone transported her body to that location. Asher was found fully clothed when discovered and there was no evidence of sexual assault. Asher did not have a permanent residence at the time of her death and was transient and possibly earning money as a sex worker.

An autopsy declared the manner of death as undetermined and but found the cause of death was an overdose. Prior to her death, Irwin worked part time for Go Auto Salvage. She did not own a car and would often hitchhike. On April 18, 1990, Irwin attended a BBQ with Vahsholz and some of her family members. That night, she and Vahsholz returned to their apartment but Irwin decided to go out to a local bar, the Dynasty Lounge, by herself. She reportedly had several drinks at the bar and around 1:45am on April 19, 1990, she left the bar with two men and went to Waffle House on S. 8th St., Colorado Springs, CO. The three stayed at Waffle House for a bit and left around 2:15am. The two men reportedly dropped of Irwin at her apartment soon after and watched her enter her apartment (for safety reasons).

An autopsy revealed that Livingston died from trauma to his torso and head and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Livingston’s wife survived but with permanent injuries. Examination of the found parts of the explosive device included a piece of a military grenade fuse and pieces of a military m67 fragmentation grenade. The package had been mailed from the Ivywild Post Office, located on S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO.

Espinoza’s body was discovered in a waste landfill located at 10000 Squirrel Creek Rd., Fountain, CO at approximately 3:30pm on June 28, 2001. Mr. Espinoza’s body was unclothed when found but he had reportedly been wearing a black or grey dress shirt, black pants and black shoes when he was last seen. Although his body had many broken bones and other serious injuries, the autopsy could not determine the cause of death. The manner of death was listed as homicide, due to the circumstances of Mr. Espinoza being nude and probably placed in a dumpster. His injuries were likely caused by the post-mortem transportation of the body by the trash truck.

Prior to his disappearance, he told both his brother and girlfriend that he was going to meet a man by the name of Carlos, nickname “El Oso” on Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO to collect money owed to him. Ochoa-Felix was reported missing on June 5, 2009. On September 13, 2009, Ochoa-Felix’s remains were discovered approximately 25 feet to the west of South Highway 115, approximately two miles south of Barrett Rd., Colorado Springs, CO. It does not appear he was killed at the location where his body was found. Ochoa-Felix was found with $275 in his pocket. His cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound(s) to the head and the manner of death was a homicide. Ochoa-Felix’s gray Pontiac was found on September 22, 2009 at a residence in the 8400 block of Piute Road, Colorado Springs, CO.

The Coroner determined Essig’s death to be suspicious. During some months in 2010, Essig had been enrolled in the Salvation Army inpatient drug rehabilitation program, located at 4751 Broadway St., Denver, CO. At the time of her disappearance and death, Jamie was the mother of a young daughter.

Oscar Martinez

Case: 16-16644
On December 6, 2016, Oscar "Gordo" Martinez, 42, was found shot to death inside the Marquette Heights Apartments on Security Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. The Coroner determined that Martinez's cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was a homicide. At the time of his death, Martinez was homeless but often slept in the hallway of the Marquette Heights Apartments and had been dating one of the residents on and off for approximately three years.

On September 16, 2017, Watkins’ mountain bike was found near Limbaugh Canyon bike trail and several other items belonging to Watkins were discovered on Mt. Herman Rd. On September 17, 2017, his body was located off the Limbaugh Canyon bike trail. Watkins was shot and his body had been moved and covered. At the time of his death, Watkins was living in Palmer Lake, CO and a full-time employee at the Old Town Bike shop in downtown Colorado Springs and was well-known throughout the Palmer Lake/Monument biking community.

Missing Persons

Barker reportedly had lunch on the day of her disappearance with her boss and intimate partner, Jack Hogue. Around 5:00pm on April 7, 1982, a fellow employee of the Woodmen Kennels observed the arrival of Barker in her vehicle. A few minutes later, the employee observed Hogue enter the vehicle and the two drive off the property together. Barker was never seen again, however her vehicle was discovered at the Denver Stapleton Airport on October 5, 1982. Airport parking records indicated the vehicle had been parked at the airport sometime before 1:33am on April 8, 1982, hours after Barker was last seen. Barker’s remains have never been located and she is still listed as a missing person. Barker is still a missing person and is listed in NamUS under case #MP12103.

Baumann’s purse, containing $500 in traveler’s checks was located in the vehicle. The car keys were found in the ignition of the car and the driver’s window was down. Baumann’s wallet, which she normally carried in her purse, was not recovered at the scene but was later found in a culvert near the Cascade Hills Motel, where she and her husband had been staying. Her jacket and shoes were found on a chair outside the motel office door. Baumann was not from the local area and had been living in Wisconsin prior to traveling to Colorado and disappearing. Baumann is still a missing person and is listed in NamUS under case #MP34839

Bryan D. Ambrose

Case: 82-3202
Bryan Ambrose, 23, was last seen on September 8, 1982 at approximately 6:30pm leaving the Rainbow Motel, located at 3709 West Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. He was last seen in the company of a male named Michael McGuire who sometimes went by the nickname Jake. Ambrose was reportedly wearing a yellow striped flannel shirt, brown corduroy pants, hiking boots and a green baseball cap. He left the motel driving his 1979 Ford Pickup truck, light green in color with white panels, a white camper top and Oklahoma license plates #T883961.

Ambrose’s truck was found on September 9, 1982 near downtown Pueblo, CO approximately 46 miles from where he was last seen. The license plates had been removed from the truck and items belonging to Ambrose were missing, including an envelope with personal paperwork, a duffel bag containing work clothes, a couple boxes of clothing, shoes and toiletries. His asthma inhaler was found in the truck. Michael McGuire, the last person seen with Ambrose, was later linked to an armed robbery at a K-Mart in Englewood, CO during the evening of September 8, 1982. At the time of his disappearance, Ambrose had a 4 1/2 year old daughter and had been in the Colorado Springs area looking for a job. He had previously lived in Comanche, Oklahoma. Ambrose is still a missing person and is listed in NamUs under case #MP17876.

Furthermore, Edward and Linda did not notify authorities of Eddie and Austin’s disappearances and continued receiving state benefits for both children. Other foster children of the Bryants provided information regarding abuse and neglect by the Bryants. Further information revealed that Eddie likely went missing in 2000 when he was 8 years old. Austin likely went missing in the first half of 2005 and was 8-9 years old at the time. No remains consistent with these missing children have been recovered and there has been no evidence located that indicates they are still alive. Austin is listed in NamUs under case #MP11214 and Edward is listed under case #11213.

Timothy Lee Copley

Case: 14-8062
Timothy Copley, 57, was last heard from at approximately 9:00am on June 20, 2014. He was reportedly at the main bus terminal in downtown Colorado Springs. Copley had left his residence at approximately 8:00am that morning for an appointment scheduled for 9:00am. At the time of his disappearance, Copley was last seen wearing a navy blue t-shirt, brown/gray sweatpants, blue and white Nike sneakers and a red Volvo baseball cap. He had a backpack in his possession.

Copley had taken the bus because he did not own a car, but reportedly transferred to the wrong bus. As a result of this mistake, Copley reportedly knew he was going to miss his appointment so he called his ex-girlfriend to let he know he would be returning home. Copley had been living at 3419 West Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. He has a scar on the right side of his neck and on his upper left inner bicep. Copley is still considered missing and is listed in NamUs under case #MP28943.

At the time of her disappearance, Layman was primarily living out of her car and frequently traveled between Colorado, Idaho and Washington. Layman was reportedly working as a sex worker and sometimes went by the nicknames/alias of Pinky Lee, Sunshine or McMullen. She sometimes used the website “Backpage” to advertise her services. Layman’s vehicle was discovered and towed on May 13, 2015 from the Pebble Creek Apartments, located at 2005 S. El Paso Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. The location data from Layman’s phone showed the last ping on May 11, 2015 near N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. Layman has never been located and is listed as a missing person with NamUs case #MP28887.

Mudder’s cellphone and wallet were recovered at her residence. Mudder has several tattoos including a dream catcher with the names “Jane and James” on her left arm and barbed wire on her right arm. She did not own a vehicle at the time of her disappearance. Mudder was unemployed at the time of her disappearance. Mudder is still considered a missing person and is listed in NamUs under case #50640.

It was not uncommon for Newcomb to go on long daily drives, on average for 200-400 miles. Newcomb was suffering from untreated cancer at the time of his disappearance, and wore hearing aids and dentures. Newcomb has never been located and is listed in NamUs under case #MP41404.

Fernando Trevizo

Case: 26-1282
Fernando Trevizo was reportedly employed by a potato farmer in the La Junta, CO area around the time he went missing. Fernando sometimes goes by the nickname "Canano." He was last seen by a relative on March 19, 1985 in Matachic, Chichuahua, Mexico. It is believed he crossed into the US in approximately July 1985. Fernando often wore cotton, button-up shirts, blue jeans, work boots or tennis shoes. He is reportedly taller than 5'3" and weighed approximately 154 pounds. His remains have not been located and he is listed in NamUs under case #MP38298

Cold Cases

General Information

Contact Information

JoAnne P. Harris

Francis G. Romisch

Cristobal F. Delgado

Peggy S. Gaylord

William D. Bennington

Percilla (Badial) Bowers

Peter J. Paskovich Jr.

Linda L. Robson

Walter Mueller

Karen D. Aguilera

Towana Lewis

Kelly L. Asher

Jocynda Irwin

Thomas L. Livingston

Ricky A. Espinoza

Francisco Felix-Ochoa

Jamie Essig

Oscar Martinez

Timothy Watkins

Missing Persons

Linda J. Barker

Barbara Baumann

Bryan D. Ambrose

Austin & Edward Bryant

Timothy Lee Copley

Lori Layman

Jane Mudder

Carl Newcomb

Bernard Shillingburg

David Guinn

Fernando Trevizo