The. 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. Footage from about 6:13 p.m. captured Vallejos watching the last customer leave the business. When officers arrived, they found Vega's glasses in the parking lot and blood on the sidewalk in front of the business. Greeley Police Commander Roy Smith stated that Pankey "had made repeated efforts to speak with detectives" about the Matthews case, but refused to answer questions when detectives traveled to Twin Falls on August 15, 2019. Family members identified the woman killed as 22-year-old Angelica "Angie" Vega. According to a recent FBI report, there were a total of 21,570 murders committed in 2020, the most of any year in the last two and a half decades and up nearly 30% from 2019 the largest annual increase on record. 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. 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. Vallejos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and sexual assault. 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 . All other forms of violent crime also increased in Greeley last year, contributing to a near-nation leading 50% surge in the violent crime rate nearly 10 times the nationwide increase. When he arrived at NOCO Nutrition, the worker went inside to find a hatchet and a lot of blood, arrest records said. Hicks claimed to have heard Pankey muttering in response, accusing the minister of being a false prophet. Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. [13] She also said that after their return, Pankey forced her to read to him newspaper articles concerning the case. [4] Steven Pankey was sentenced to life imprisonment on October 31, 2022, after his arrest in 2020. The jury found him guilty on a charge of false reporting", "Steve Pankey's Defense Poses Theory That Another Man Killed Jonelle Matthews In 1984", "Steve Pankey found guilty of kidnapping, felony murder in Jonelle Matthews case", "Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Jonelle Matthews' 1984 Murder", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Jonelle_Matthews&oldid=1140455492, December 1984 events in the United States, Pages using infobox person with multiple organizations, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Member of Sunny View Church of the Nazarene and Franklin Middle School Choir, Jennifer Mogensen (sister), Terri Vierra-Martinez (biological mother), This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 04:04. David . In the minutes that followed, Vallejos made spontaneous and unsolicited statements that he killed someone. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He got into her car and then left the parking lot at 6:47 p.m. At 10:34 p.m., a resident saw Vegas car parked at a convenience store on 71st Avenue and 20th Street, about a mile from NOCO Nutrition, according to arrest records. Later, police said he referred to his right arm as the one that kills people. A news release from the coroner's office notes they were family. 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. She found it on the job, working as a 911 dispatcher, and falling in love with Sheriff's deputy Ken Nelson. She was beautiful smart loving and caring young lady filled with so much joy! Marcos Vallejos, 24, is being charged with murder in the first degree and sexual assault. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. Only metro areas with populations of at least 250,000 residents and at least one homicide in 2019 were considered. After, Vallejos removed a dark-colored cover from a nearby couch using the hatchet. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. . The person reported seeing a body covered in the backseat. 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. Twenty-four-year-old Marcos Vallejos was arrested shortly after and charged with sexual assault and first-degree murder. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The suspect is Jessica Reeves-Burrola, according to jail records. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Family of Aurora man in police video speaks out, We need a permanent fix: Potholes return to Evergreen, Utah governor says he plans to sign abortion clinic, East High students weigh in on school resource officer, Makar cleared to return 2nd time from concussion, Mercer has goal, 3 assists as Devils beat Avalanche, NFL coach Brian Flores discrimination case going, Rockies among 17 teams MLB may take over broadcasts, Jokic has 100th triple-double; Nuggets down Rockets, Sean Payton tried to lure Vic Fangio back to Denver, 1 dead, several injured in multiple Denver shootings, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? Jonelle Matthews was a 12-year-old American girl who disappeared near Greeley, Colorado, on December 20, 1984. [21] He was held without bail at the Ada County Jail in Boise until he was extradited to Colorado. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Moreover, officers also found a Grim Reaper mask in the truck the accused was driving, further strengthening their case. Here is a look at the states where gun sales are surging. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Jaramillo has several active warrants, but has not been taken into custody for the July 24 stabbing. 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. 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. 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. Our top 10 tips from residents, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. [17], A chokecherry tree was planted in front of Franklin Middle School in memory of Jonelle. [21], Pankey knew he was a person of interest in September 2019 when he was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman. [16] She appears in the International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons' database. 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. A little after 10:30 p.m., police found Vega's vehicle a little over a mile away, near 71st Avenue and 20th Street. The man saw signs of someone being dragged as well as surveillance footage showing someone taking Vega. The Weld County Coroners Office on Thursday publicly identified the three people killed in a suspected murder-suicide over the weekend in Greeley. 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. On Friday night, Vega's mother reported her missing after she didn't return home by 7:35 p.m. after she was scheduled to close the family business at 7 p.m. When officers arrived, the store was in disarray with large amounts of blood found inside. [10] At 8:15 PM, Jonelle arrived home in Greeley, Colorado, after getting a ride from her friend, DeeAnna Ross, and DeeAnna's father. 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. According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance cameras showed Vallejos enter Noco Nutrition at 5:36 p.m. with a backpack over his shoulder. When the police began investigating Heathers death, they turned to the eyewitnesses who were present on the scene and recorded their accounts. The police arrived at 10:15 PM and found footprints in the snow, indicating that someone had been looking in the windows. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. If you need anything, we're here," Bowie said. By Bryan Pietsch Oct. 13, 2020 DENVER For more than three decades, the disappearance of Jonelle Matthews hung over the city of Greeley, Colo., where the 12-year-old was taken from her family's. The number of homicides stood at 2. He shuffled papers in and out of his black backpack and wrote on them for an hour. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. RELATED: 'She was always smiling': Family remembers woman killed at Greeley smoothie shop. [19][20] The forensic report listed Jonelle's cause of death as "a gunshot wound to the head".[13][21]. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana). [9] The phone call was the last time anyone was known to have spoken with Jonelle. When the police initially approached Shawna, she insisted on her innocence and denied being involved in Heathers murder. [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. 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. About 7:52 p.m. Friday, a caller reported to Greeley police that 22-year-old Angie Vega never returned home after working an evening shift at NOCO Nutrition, a health drink bar in the 1990 block of 59th Avenue. "[13], Jennifer Mogensen, Jonelle's older sister, said her family experienced "some closure" when they learned that Jonelle was murdered and she considers Pankey's arrest "another gift to our family". The 2019 crime rate in Greeley, CO is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is comparable to the U.S. average. Surprisingly, the killer was dressed in a black robe and was hiding their face with a grim reaper mask. Jonelle was adopted in March 1972 by James "Jim" and Gloria Matthews, a married couple with a daughter, living in Greeley, Colorado. [3] Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, by construction workers putting in a new pipeline 15mi (24km) from her home. Evans police learned Greeley police had arrested Jaramillo on June 28 on suspicion of a stabbing. Eyewitnesses present on the scene mentioned that the figure was dressed in a dark robe and had a Grim Reaper mask on their face to conceal their identity completely. The caller said Vega was supposed to close the business at 7 p.m. Weld County Courthouse. It showed the suspect, Marcos Vallejos, enter the store at 5:36 p.m., while customers were inside. Police continue to investigate the shooting. 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. There were 16 homicides reported in the area in 2020, up 220% from five in 2019. 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. 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. Paramedics arrived to take the victim to North Colorado Medical Center. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. [28] His earliest possible release date is in 2042, at which point he will be 91 years old. Firearms sales soared, and tens of millions of new guns proliferated across communities nationwide. When officers arrived at the business, they found Vega's glasses and a lot of blood, along with her finger. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Eventually, Vallejos followed her behind the counter and attacked her from behind with a hatchet. Vega was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed. 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. "Its really scary to know that she was doing her job and someone so innocent can be taken for no reason, no reason at all.. Officers helped tend to the victim's injuries until Evans fire personnel arrived. [26] He has an advisement hearing scheduled for this charge 9 a.m. Aug. 18. Mogensen's father was reportedly "especially excited to see justice". [2], Years after Jonelle's disappearance, her parents moved to the Philippines. [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". The tree died after a few years and a plaque inscribed with Jonelle's name disappeared. 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. [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. "I hope maybe her family can see that there are people who care even though we didn't know her," Walker said. 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". GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) A 22-year-old woman was murdered Friday night at NOCO Nutrition at the end of her shift. At the time of her disappearance, Jonelle's father was the principal of Platte Valley Elementary School in Kersey, Colorado.[6]. The worker contacted another person to go check out the business. She was found dead in. 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. At 6:25 p.m., Vallejos got up from his table and walked to the restroom. Pankey pleaded not guilty for those crimes . He took his backpack but left a piece of paper at the table. A news release from the coroners office notes they were family. [27] He received a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. On surveillance, Vallejos was seen moving her body to the backseat of the vehicle. In a matter of three days, on October 12, 2020, police arrested Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree murder in Jonelle's case. Vallejos retrieved the piece of paper he left at the table earlier, folded it and placed it at the end of the counter. 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. [21] In 2008, Pankey's son was murdered. The Moving can be an exciting experience. New information from Greeley police has revealed some gruesome details about the sexual assault and murder of Angelica 'Angie' Vega. At 10:43 p.m. a witness told police the suspect vehicle had a body in the rear outside a convenience store at 71st Avenue and 20th Street in Greeley. The Moving can be an exciting experience. She was found dead in her car after she went missing from her place of work at NOCO Nutrition. According to the arrest affidavit, Vega's mother told police that the business looked like a mess from the surveillance footage and she had also received a call from a customer that the business had experienced a break-in and that there was blood on the floor. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.