By Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. Smika's abandoned car was discovered in California in 1986. However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. 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Sids murder happened a mile from where he lived in 1983, and the grand jury incident happened just as he was getting out of law school at CU. To view more information on a district, click on a county within that region. Investigators pay a visit to Smika's mother's home. Tonight, In Pursuit with John Walsh takes a look at both men and the allegations against them. . It kind of rips you to the core, Robert said. She grieved in ways that I cant even imagine, Menger said. We are about being the guardians of the community and constitutional policing which is protecting the rights of everyone no matter what their race, immigration status or sexual orientation is, said Hayes. 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. This process is automatic. A photo that accompanied a 1983 Associated Press article about Wells funeral showed the weeping young woman being comforted by her father on their way to the service. Another man who lived next door to the Wells brothers told investigators that hed heard a loud bang, similar to a gunshot, at the time the coroner determined Sid had died. The whole thing was extremely frustrating.. ;}v;LZ%^(R(;_/"-Rqnv};!;.cs|CGA6. %PDF-1.7 Its something she and her family have never gotten over. As a Catholic kid from a large family in South Denver, Hayes fell in love with Estes Park during summers at Camp St. Malo. But he wouldnt know that until later that evening. The Moving can be an exciting experience. /MarkInfo <> 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. 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. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Trujillo said if Smika is still alive, he's confident he'll eventually be caught and prosecuted and the case will finally be solved. The documents detail several personal timelines from people interviewed by detectives that investigators say show Smika was his killer. According to the FBI, Thayne Smika hasn't been seen since he was freed from detention. . DENVER In August 1983, Sid Wells was 22 years old and about to enter his senior year at CU Boulder with dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. 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. Sid really seemed like he was a victim that should never have been. His roommate Thayne Smika, who was reportedly due to pay rent that day, was soon named as the number one suspect for the shocking murder. He is passionate about what he calls constitutional policing. Most of what we do is not police work, it is community safety. Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. Over the years, Hayes has worked as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant, commander, and deputy chief. Thayne Smika is accused of fatally shooting his roommate in the back of the head on August 1, 1983, in their Spanish Towers apartment after Sid Wells demanded Smika pay back his rent. 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. Comments [But Im] optimistic that something is going to happen.. 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. Report inappropriate content . Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. 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. In his freshman year, hed fallen head-over-heels for a girl in his dorm named Shauna. His home of 32 years, where he raised two daughters, was a half mile from the police station, but Hayess attention was on a joint operation with area sheriff, police and fire departments. Photo from the Boulder Daily Camera Spring 2011 Campus News Judicial Circuit County(ies) Prosecuting Attorney 1st Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, Woodruff: Todd Murray ", Additional Information From Boulder Police. Sid Wells in 1983 (credit: Boulder Police Department). 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. Lakewood, Ohio. After police ruled his brother out as a suspect, they began to focus on Smika. 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. First published on July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM. The guy who you believe has done it has never been brought to justice, Robert said. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . With the Marshall Fire, he experienced being a victim, something he says has given him an increased sense of empathy in working with others. New DA furthers investigation, obtains new arrest warrant. But that day fire roared through unincorporated Boulder County, and the communities of Superior and Louisville, Colo., destroying more than 1,000 homes and seven commercial structures. 100 posts. If Thayne was innocent, she says, he would want to clear his name and live a normal life rather than hide out., For June, Sids death is as fresh as if it just happened. 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. One of the most high-profile murders in Colorado's history remains unsolved after nearly 34 years, but police and prosecutors know who their suspect is and have an active warrant for his arrest. A broken hearted Shauna later left the university. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much He went on to work in law enforcement and as a special agent, and has since founded the Families of Colorado Murder Victims and Missing Persons (FOHVAMP), which helps families of victims in unsolved murder and missing persons crimes seek help in closing their cases. This was in the days before HIPPA. After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in the case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. It's an unsolved mystery involving a beautiful college town, a picture-perfect young couple and even a movie star. 2 0 obj 11 reviews. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. Subscribe According to the affidavit, Boulder police received the requested information from the phone companies on Feb. 24. 01:37 - Source: CNN. 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. but it can also be stressful. Detectives found a .20-gauge shotgun and several cartridges in his closet in Akron, and took those into evidence. He said it had turned into his nightmare too, she said. Wells was found shot to death in his Boulder apartment on Aug. 3, 1983. His vehicle was recovered in Hollywood, CA in 1986. 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. 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. Investigators wasted no time paying a visit to Smika in Akron. For 30 years hes been doggedly trying to solve this cold case. 2. '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. Pic Credit: U.S. In 2011, the. 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's daughter when he was shot to . 6: 6 "Trafficking in . Robert Redford stopped production of his film The Natural so he and his family could attend Sids funeral. "Smika's relatives have not provided any helpful information to the Boulder Police Department," police spokesperson Kim Kobel said in a statement. It's like a partially opened door with a very dark room behind it, he said. The first grand jury did not issue an indictment for murder believed to be a result of misconduct by the district attorney. Another connection with Burkhalter came in 1977. Smika, who was 24 years old in 1983, was a drifter without a job who was attempting to avoid paying his bills and being arrested by the police after failing to make a mortgage payment on a home he had purchased with a friend. 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 . Smika was also profiled in the January 23, 2019 episode of the Investigation Discovery series In Pursuit with John Walsh. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Sids mom could not believe it. Re: Walking at night . I dont know why anyone would ever agree ahead of time not to respect the decision that a grand jury is going to return.. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. THAYNE ALAN SMIKA . (Information retrieved from NamUs.g. But as long as theyre not giving up, we have hope.. Boulder police believe he may have a new identity and he may be working as a bookkeeper or accountant. How can a district attorney actually handle his grand jury in such a manner? The DA's office "did not think there was enough evidence to file charges"., prompting criticism of Hunter from the victim's grieving mother. Sam Wells had gone on an overnight camping trip and was set to return around 1:30 p.m. 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. But more tips started rolling in. In 1986 his abandoned car, a Dodge Aries, was found in Beverly Hills wiped clean of prints. He is a people person and very supportive of his officers. Smika moved to Denver then eventually left for California. - 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 . For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings.Si. After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in a case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. Were revictimized on a daily basis because our loved one is not there to share that moment with us. The 22-year-old University of Colorado student had been dating Robert Redford's daughter Shauna Redford for three years at the time of his death, and she was so devastated by the loss that she dropped out of college. Smika's family says the last time they heard from him was in 1986, when he said he was leaving town. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells'. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Smika surname lived. Wind gusts were clocked at 70 to 100 mph. June Menger, who is suffering from a terminal illness, is hoping to see Smika brought to justice for the murder charges against her son. /Metadata 6 0 R>> In 1997, a police officer posing as a journalism student talked to Smika's mother, who said her son had changed his name because he was afraid for his life because he knew who the real killer was. A. Greg endobj The Smika family name was found in the USA in 1920. Although he says he doesnt know what went into Hunters decision or why the former DA decided to reach the agreement with Smika, he says hes still left with questions. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. <> 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. An arrest warrant for murder was issued but Smika was nowhere to be found. Level Contributor . Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. Smika told the detectives that a possible suspect was Craig Evans, a man Smika said had been stealing cocaine from the victim. Last updated: July 17, 2020 Denver, CO 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 According to the court filings, Smika's friends and acquaintances described him as dirty, messy, and volatile. . A nearby chair had been overturned, and the coffee table was moved aside. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of . Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Prefer C.U. So he started putting together another arrest warrant for Smika, which Boulder County District Court Judge Roxanne Balin approved on Dec. 2, 2010 more than 27 years after Sids murder. Smika was eventually let out of custody, and stayed around the area for a couple years. In 1920 there were 2 Smika families living in Oklahoma. LinnyT. 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. When asked by the Camera on Wednesday whether she knows where her son is, she said, Would I tell you?. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. endstream . [Smika] gets a get-out-of-jail-free card a letter from the DA saying, nope, we got a grand jury going on but were not going to indict you. The couple have two children, a boy and a girl. District Attorney Susan L. Opper. Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines. Redford said in 1997 that Wells' murder still haunted him. A Denver district attorney has called parts of Colorado, "the Wild West of weed." Sales across state lines have pitted one legal jurisdiction against another, as marijuana laws differ widely around the country. 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. Earlier this month, Arias's present attorneys, Peg Green and Corey Engle, filed a 324-page appeal on behalf of the imprisoned murderer, asking that her conviction be overturned. For a list of Offices and access to their websites, either select "Directory of District Attorney Offices" or select a location on the map. Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 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. And though Robert and his remaining family members say they still continue to feel Sids loss and it is sometimes a challenge to find hope, he says hes optimistic that Smika will be found at brought to justice. upperclassman or graduate student. We couldn't understand why they let him go.". In 2017, Hayes bought a home in Estes Park with the thought that he would eventually retire in the community. Their elections are non-partisan. 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. Reply. Marshals in connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika is wanted by the FBI for murder. The district attorney's office in Boulder County . Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . I have no doubt in my mind that that shotgun was responsible for Sids death, Neitzel said. /Lang (en) Deputy District Attorney Lesli S. Boese Ted S. Szczupakiewicz Michael D. Thurston. But Sid and a friend confronted him about the missing drugs, andSmika blamed their disappearance on another man. upperclassman or graduate student. Wells was dating Shauna Jean Redford, the daughter of actor Robert Redford, and this brought attention to the case on a global scale. 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.. The FBI speculated that Thyane Smika might also reside in California. But when he walked inside, he found Sid dead on the floor with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Last seen alive: October 01, 1986. That, according to police interviews, made for easy pickings for Smika, who was apparently one of only two people aside from Sid who knew where he kept his stash. Got a tip? The rent was due that day. After years of consulting with the manufacturer of the shotgun shells used in Sids murder and the ones found in Smikas closet in Akron, investigators were eventually able to learn that the three shells were uniquely old when they were used, had all been loaded into Smikas shotgun, and all had the same chemical makeup. The FBI is currently offering a reward of $10,000 for information that results in Smika's capture and conviction. Finding Smika is especially urgent because June Menger is now battling stage four cancer and would like closure and justice for her son in her lifetime. A Boulder Daily Camera piece on this development notes that Smika was suspect number one in the execution-style slaying from the jump. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. Authorities said Smika may be working in the real estate or financial industry. Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. Smika left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, CA. On August 1, 1983, Sam Wells returned from a camping trip to find his brother lying face down on the floor inside the apartment. * DNA Update -- History Repeats Itself: Twice now Boulder District Attorneys have misled the public in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. My dad helped review medical charts to screen for possible suspects, said Hayes. Sam Carlson Port Protection Singer Son Kelly Carlson Makes An Appearance On The Show, Jason Segel Siblings Are Sister Alison Segel and Brother Adam Segel, DB Woodside And Golden Brooks Daughter Dakota Tao Brooks-Woodside, Deena Nicole Cortese Sister Joanie Maiorella Works As A Science Teacher, Khary Payton Parents Victor Payton And Gwendolyn Middleton Payton Raised Him With His Other Siblings, Ritchie Coster Wife Jan Conklin Is Operations Consultant With A Lot Of Experience, Stefania Spampinato Wished Her Sister Daniela Spampinato On Her New Journey, Was Thayne Smika Found? For nearly five decades as a police officer, Hayes has been on the helping side in situations of crisis and tragedy. Hayes is the 2022-2023 President of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. Police released his 1983 mugshot and an age-progressed image of what he might look like today. The door was unlocked, as it typically was. Sid Wells' shot-to-death body was found in his Boulder apartment on August 3, 1983. Johnson won the primary and then was elected in November in an uncontested race. FBI investigators also said they connected three shotgun shells found in Smikas mothers home in eastern Colorado with the one that killed Wells test results that have since been questioned. papa's burgeria hacked; superhero universe codes; wicked tuna paul died; why was matt houston cancelled; petey jones remember the titans character analysis QuikTrip holds grand opening for newest Colorado location, 'Next-of-Kin Online Search' looks to bring closure, answers to families, Winter storm in Colorado: Where to expect snow this time, Less wind Wednesday with increased snow chances, Man convicted in 1981 murder in Cherry Hills Village, Man who killed girlfriend in 1998 sentenced to 20 years. The trail has been frozen, but Boulder police said they haven't given up. However, then-district attorney Alex Hunter -- well. Thayne Alan Smika is wanted for a murder which occurred on August 1, 1983. . All Rights Reserved. , updated 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. Hayes father was a Denver physician who became ill and had to step back from his medical practice. Then they learned that prosecutors had declined to charge Smika with the killing, saying there wasnt enough evidence. Smika allegedly stole around 7 grams of cocaine from Sid on two different occasions, according to the court documents. "The police department felt that way, his friends and roommates felt that way. Last Name: Smika. He worked through college at the Boulderado Hotel. 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. I dont want him to go through this for something he did not do, Darryl Smika said. 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. She wants to find Thayne Smika and she wants to ask him, Why?. His sister, Tava Smika, currently lives in Vaughn, MT. Smikas friends and acquaintances thought Smika to be messy, unkempt and temperamental, according to the court documents. Following an investigation, authorities discovered Sid had been killed by a single shot fired at a slight downward angle from a.20-gauge shotgun. Thayne Smika was accused of killing his roommate Sid Wells in August 1983, and the case hasn't been solved yet. 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~ = endobj Feb 24, 2023, 3:22 PM. And in addition to paying the rent (he) was also going to give Sid some additional money and some cocaine. 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