The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika since 1986 or even called him by that name. But as time passed, Sid began having trouble collecting the rent. Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines. According to court documents, Smika, who was 24 in 1983, was a jobless drifter who was trying to skirt paying bills and getting caught by authorities after failing to pay a mortgage on a house hed bought with a friend a couple years earlier. The state or Arizona has until January 4, 2019, to respond. I knew at that point nothing was ever going to come from that grand jury, Neitzel said. Im 100 percent. Smika charged, but DA's deal throws case into disarray. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. 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 . Updated upperclassman or graduate student. A maid corroborated hearing a similar noise around the same time. Did you encounter any technical issues? Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (MDAA) Massachusetts District Attorneys Association. 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. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R 15 0 obj Furnished living room. Smika moved to Denver then eventually left for California. The Wells family owned the condo and had bought it for their children to use while in college. He worked through college at the Boulderado Hotel. News. Wells was entering his senior year at the University of Colorado, and his death drew international attention because he was dating actor Robert Redfords daughter, Shauna Redford, at the time. / CBS Colorado. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In Sids obituary, Shauna was listed as survivor, girlfriend and best friend. 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? Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. and 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. Dave Hayes was a rookie detective in the Boulder Police Department when Sid Wells was killed. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . A grand jury failed to indict him, and two previous Boulder County district. But he had plenty of other friends and acquaintances. <> Associated Press, June Menger, the mother of murdered 22-year-old college student Sid Wells, hasn't given up hope police will find his killer, Thayne Smika, now 54, is being sought in 1983 murder of 22-year-old Sid Wells, Wells was found dead from 20-gauge shotgun blast to the back of the head in his home, Well had been dating Robert Redford's daughter, Shauna, for three years, Police believe Smika, Well's ex-roommate, has been living under alias, 'Did the HPV vaccine kill my daughter': Mother demands answers after healthy and active daughter, 12, collapses and dies after getting vaccine, Murder charges could be brought against gunman who tried to assassinate Reagan after coroner rules death this week of press secretary paralyzed in attack is homicide, Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Cops smashes window and rescue two kids from a parked car, Moment pastor FOILS armed robbery after praying for gunmen, TikTok video shows Unity Academy Blackpool pupils protesting, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. Smikas father, Darryl Smika, told the Camera on Wednesday that the last time he had contact with his son was a month before he disappeared, and he doesnt have information on his sons whereabouts. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at. The guy who you believe has done it has never been brought to justice, Robert said. But in 2009, Stan Garnett took over as district attorney, with a newfound interest in the case. 4 helpful votes. An additional 149 homes and 30 other buildings were also damaged. But he was perhaps best-known around town in 1983 for being the guy who was dating Robert Redfords daughter, Shauna, who was also a student at CU at the time. 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. But he wouldnt know that until later that evening. I dont know why anyone would ever agree ahead of time not to respect the decision that a grand jury is going to return.. A. Greg Sam and Sid Wells needed a third roommate to help with rent, so they posted an ad which was answered by 24-year-old Thayne Smika, a Colorado State University graduate from Akron in eastern Colorado. 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. of 1 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. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Allegedly Arrested For Murder, Debra Jeter Death And Daughter Kiersten Jeter Netflix Documentary Case Dateline, Did Bbg Tyler Snatched JayDaYoungan? 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. Wells was dating Shauna Jean Redford, the daughter of actor Robert Redford, and this brought attention to the case on a global scale. ;}v;LZ%^(R(;_/"-Rqnv};!;.cs|CGA6. Thayne Smika was accused of killing his roommate Sid Wells in August 1983, and the case hasn't been solved yet. But when he walked inside, he found Sid dead on the floor with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Judicial Circuit County(ies) Prosecuting Attorney 1st Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, Woodruff: Todd Murray Smika told the detectives that a possible suspect was Craig Evans, a man Smika said had been stealing cocaine from the victim. 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. IE 11 is not supported. A year later he joined the Boulder Police Department where he worked for 36 years before returning to the Louisville Police Department in 2014 to serve as their Chief of Police. Why? he wonders. But Sid was rarely home, according to friends, and was often with Shauna when he wasnt working or at school. This process is automatic. However, then-Boulder District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to file charges, and Smika moved away in 1986. . Darryl Smika said hes unfazed by the police request for his phone records. . Last seen alive: October 01, 1986. Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Smika surname lived. Directory of District Attorney Offices. Sid Wells' shot-to-death body was found in his Boulder apartment on August 3, 1983. A grand jury was derailed by Hunter two years later, according to the Camera. How in the world could this possibly happen? Im thinking, no, thats not real; thats not right. But part of his story didnt add up from the beginning: His mother was away on a trip to Fort Collins all week. Middle Name: Alan. He says he was confident in his work and the departments conclusions. % But as long as theyre not giving up, we have hope.. For his first date with Shauna Redford, the two went to an ROTC dance, the site Daily Camera reported. 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. . Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. 1, 1983, but the district attorney determined that there was not enough evidence to prosecute. 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. Looking out the windows at the Louisville Police Station, Hayes saw flames consuming nearby bushes. . Robert Redford stopped production of his film The Natural so he and his family could attend Sids funeral. <> Following an investigation, authorities discovered Sid had been killed by a single shot fired at a slight downward angle from a.20-gauge shotgun. With the Marshall Fire, he experienced being a victim, something he says has given him an increased sense of empathy in working with others. An arrest warrant for murder was issued but Smika was nowhere to be found. Smika, who was also once an AMW web-exclusive, will be the first ever fugitive from 'The Hunt' to get an In Pursuit profile as well. Oct. 6, 1983: Police arrest Thayne Smika, who was living with Wells at the time of the crime, at his family home in Akron. Following the murder, Shauna went on to marry university professor Eric Schlosser, the best-selling author of Fast Food Nation. Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. Then they learned that prosecutors had declined to charge Smika with the killing, saying there wasnt enough evidence. Neitzel, who has seldom spoken publicly about the case after his 1990 retirement, says he believes Smika is Sids killer, saying theres not a doubt in his mind that is the case, and that he hopes to see Smika arrested. 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. There was blood spattered on a magazine on the coffee table close to a note Sam himself had left saying he was going camping, as well as another note from Smika: Sid/Sam Ive gone home to visit my folks for a couple of days and Ill be back Tuesday or Wednesday. Deputy District Attorney Lesli S. Boese Ted S. Szczupakiewicz Michael D. Thurston. . 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 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. You all made up your own stories.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. What Happened To Nia From Real World Portland? Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. Sids mother, June Menger, describes her youngest son as a good-looking, vivacious, young man who was interning at a local television station and wanted to fly jets for the U.S. Navy. Prosecutors at the time of the killing lacked the evidence techniques that have since allowed detectives to link shotgun pellets recovered from Wells' body to shells found at the Smika family residence in Akron, Menger said. The comments below have not been moderated, By 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. 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. I have not been in touch with him, and I have no intentions of trying to do so. 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. Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. Boulder police are still looking for Thayne Smika after a murder warrant was issued for his arrest in 2010. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Johnson won the primary and then was elected in November in an uncontested race. Smika left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, CA. %PDF-1.7 2. I dont know why the grand jury was handled the way it was. Last Name: Smika. The suspect in this case is a man named Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' in 1983. '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. I wasnt ready to retire, and this opportunity came available, said Hayes who turned 66 this year. To view more information on a district, click on a county within that region. District attorneys are assigned to Arkansas's 23 judicial circuits. Sid was killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of the head from a .20-gauge shotgun shell shot at a near-horizontal, but slightly downward trajectory, the coroners office found, deeming Sids death a homicide. Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. /Metadata 6 0 R>> Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. 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. UNDATED: Thayne Smika is seen in a photo provided by the Boulder, Colo., Police Department. stream 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. 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. xZms6_*! 2. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of freedom while the Wells family has been grieving for three decades . <> Darryl Smika said he thinks authorities are wasting their time and money looking for his son. 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. Sid and his brother needed a roommate and settled on Smika, but they werent close friends. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. But authorities could not find 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. 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. Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. In 2010, the Boulder County district attorney's office agreed to review the case and approved an arrest affidavit for Smika. Im still hopeful. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. . papa's burgeria hacked; superhero universe codes; wicked tuna paul died; why was matt houston cancelled; petey jones remember the titans character analysis The FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Smika's arrest and conviction. Wells and Redford's daughter Shauna, then 22 years old, were both students at the University of Colorado and lived in the same building. 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. Also Read: Did Bbg Tyler Snatched JayDaYoungan? Following his release from detention, they claimed it's conceivable Thayne spent a significant amount of time living in Yelapa, Mexico. Wells' brother found his body August 1, 1983, in Wells' Spanish Towers condominium. 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. It all started with this classified ad in the Boulder Daily Camera, January, 1983. The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika - or called him by that name, at least - since 1986. They also found a box of shells with three missing. First Name: Thayne Alan. This story was originally reported August 10, 2014. 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. Wells had been shot in the back of the head at close range. - 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 Moving can be an exciting experience. I dont know why anybody would enter into an agreement like that. I hope its solved, he said. She wants to find Thayne Smika and she wants to ask him, Why?. In December 2012, a judge signed an arrest warrant for Smika after Boulder police developed more evidence in the case. The district attorney's office in Boulder County . Boulder police are asking for help finding Smika, suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old. It's an unsolved mystery involving a beautiful college town, a picture-perfect young couple and even a movie star. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. The whole thing was extremely frustrating.. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. Shortly after, his roommate, Thayne Smika, 24, was arrested in connection with the murder of Wells; however, the Boulder District Attorney decided not to file charges, and Smika was released. They can do all they want, but I have had no contact with him.. District Attorneys Council Home Page / District Attorneys To view each county's name, district number, and district attorney, place your mouse pointer over each county and hold it still. For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings.Si. A nearby chair had been overturned, and the coffee table was moved aside. Shauna, the daughter of Robert Redford and his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, whom he divorced in 1985, dated Sid Wells for three years, and in his obituary she was listed among his survivors. Lakewood, Ohio. Smika left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, CA. Im angry that the system let me down. In 2011, the. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells'. Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter made a deal with Smika's. 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. He also had some small-time involvement in the use and sale of cocaine, according to police documents. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Police ask anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact them. John Walsh is looking for a man suspected of killing his roommate and has been on the run since 1986. The rent was due that day. Thayne Smika, a 24-year old college dropout, answered the ad. The FBI is currently offering a reward of $10,000 for information that results in Smika's capture and conviction. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. Burkhalter, who had become a homicide detective, thought that the suspect might be a former patient at the clinic. Thayne Smika, 55 Suspect in the killing of his roommate On the run since 1986 Could be in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico On August 1, 1983, Sam Wells returned from a camping trip to find his brother. But more tips started rolling in. 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. 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. After police ruled his brother out as a suspect, they began to focus on Smika. Detectives found a .20-gauge shotgun and several cartridges in his closet in Akron, and took those into evidence. 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. Discovery Company. He said it had turned into his nightmare too, she said. And though Robert Wells remains cautious because of the cases handling over the years, he says hes hopeful that the renewed warrant will turn Smika up somewhere. The FBI said Smika's abandoned car was found in California in 1986, but other than that, there's been no sign of him since he was released from custody. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. But he came anyway because of his close friendship with Wells. Thayne Smika Warrant. And his car melted in the driveway. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Furnished living room. How can a district attorney actually handle his grand jury in such a manner? There was just no sign of life whatsoever, Wells said. His sister, Tava Smika, currently lives in Vaughn, MT. Another connection with Burkhalter came in 1977. According to Trujillo, if Thayne Smika is still alive, he will eventually be caught, charged, and the case will be closed. endobj Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. /Lang (en) 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. "The police department felt that way, his friends and roommates felt that way. Wells was found shot to death in his Boulder apartment on Aug. 3, 1983. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. She believes Smika has had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying off the grid. Investigators wasted no time paying a visit to Smika in Akron. 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. LinnyT. Stories worth watching 16 videos. Photo from the Boulder Daily Camera Spring 2011 Campus News However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. In 2011, the Boulder County District Attorneys office approved an arrest warrant for Smika on first-degree murder but his whereabouts are unknown. 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. The door was unlocked, as it typically was. Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. She was devastated, June Menger recalled. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. There was blood spatter underneath the note, which would mean the note was written after the death, Neitzel said. Wanted for: Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - First Degree Murder Wanted by: FBI Hair: Black: Height . 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. Wells' mother, June Menger, said that Boulder investigators have been dogged in their work to solve the case. 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. Police and the family believe he changed his name and disappeared. 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. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. Also Read: Debra Jeter Death And Daughter Kiersten Jeter Netflix Documentary Case Dateline. Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The following week, Smika's mother posts a $100,000 bond, and. Report inappropriate content . June Menger, who is suffering from a terminal illness, is hoping to see Smika brought to justice for the murder charges against her son. I've read to stay away from the Red Light Dist at night due to all of the drunken tourists (of . Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. 2023 Cable News Network. Pic Credit: U.S. As a Catholic kid from a large family in South Denver, Hayes fell in love with Estes Park during summers at Camp St. Malo. Boulder police release new sketches of Smika. Thank you! 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. 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.

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