Discovery Company. He loved the way her hair fell over her eyes. Police arrested Wells' roommate Thayne Smika but the Boulder County District Attorney at the time did not think there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial. Allegedly Arrested For Murder, Danny Pudi And Wife Bridget Showalter Pudi Relationship With Two Children. Detectives couldnt be reached Wednesday to comment on whether they obtained any leads from the family members phones. 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. Its something she and her family have never gotten over. 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. "Smika's relatives have not provided any helpful information to the Boulder Police Department," police spokesperson Kim Kobel said in a statement. Also Read: Debra Jeter Death And Daughter Kiersten Jeter Netflix Documentary Case Dateline. But as time passed, Sid began having trouble collecting the rent. IE 11 is not supported. Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. <> June Menger, who is suffering from a terminal illness, is hoping to see Smika brought to justice for the murder charges against her son. She grieved in ways that I cant even imagine, Menger said. This was about 33% of all the recorded Smika's in USA. Fred Neitzel, now retired, was one of the Boulder Police Department detectives on the case at the time, and says that a host of evidence played into the decision to arrest Smika, but his note saying he was leaving town may have been the biggest factor. Trujillo said if Smika is still alive, he's confident he'll eventually be caught and prosecuted and the case will finally be solved. 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. Im still hopeful. papa's burgeria hacked; superhero universe codes; wicked tuna paul died; why was matt houston cancelled; petey jones remember the titans character analysis I believe its possible that he still is out there.. "It's past time for justice for Sid Wells and his family," Deputy Chief Dave Hayes said. 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. It's time for justice, said Hayes, who has remained in touch with Wells' family over the last three decades. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Thayne Smika is wanted for the 1983 slaying of his roommate, who was dating Robert Redford's daughter at the time. If you have information about Thayne Smika or his whereabouts contact Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj@bouldercolorado.gov. Detectives found a .20-gauge shotgun and several cartridges in his closet in Akron, and took those into evidence. First published on July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM. Wells was dating the daughter of Robert Redford, Shauna Redford, at the time of the shooting. Recent information indicates he may be living near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Arkansas's prosecutors are known as Prosecuting Attorneys. The FBI is currently offering a reward of $10,000 for information that results in Smika's capture and conviction. Wind gusts were clocked at 70 to 100 mph. Boulder police issued a statement Wednesday saying they're looking for Thayne Smika, who is still being sought after a murder warrant was issued for his . Got a tip? Marshals photo. He started reviewing the case, its evidence and how it had progressed through the new analyses. Smika was never seen again. Lakewood, Ohio. [But Im] optimistic that something is going to happen.. In 2011, the Boulder County District Attorneys office approved an arrest warrant for Smika on first-degree murder but his whereabouts are unknown. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (MDAA) Massachusetts District Attorneys Association. Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. . For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings. The following week, Smika's mother posts a $100,000 bond, and. stream Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.crimeshurt.com. The evidence pointed to Thayne," June said. 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. Then they learned that prosecutors had declined to charge Smika with the killing, saying there wasnt enough evidence. Sid and his brother needed a roommate and settled on Smika, but they werent close friends. Boom, were going to get the rest of the story now and really find out what happened to Sid, his brother Rob Wells said. Marshals in connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika is wanted by the FBI for murder. Updated 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. Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. Deputy District Attorney Lesli S. Boese Ted S. Szczupakiewicz Michael D. Thurston. Sid didnt learn until later that Shauna was the daughter of actor Robert Redford. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Also Read: Did Bbg Tyler Snatched JayDaYoungan? After police ruled his brother out as a suspect, they began to focus on Smika. Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. LinnyT. endstream 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. Thayne Smika is wanted for first-degree murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Tonight, In Pursuit with John Walsh takes a look at both men and the allegations against them. Smika was arrested Oct. 6, 1983 about two months after the slaying but then-District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to charge him, saying there wasnt enough evidence. An arrest warrant for murder was issued but Smika was nowhere to be found. 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. 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. After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in a case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. ", Additional Information From Boulder Police. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Hayes graduated from a joint Boulder Police Department-Boulder Sheriffs Office Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology and political science from Metropolitan State University of Denver. 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 By Vicky Collins, Dateline NBCIt's an unsolved mystery involving a beautiful college town, a picture-perfect young couple and even a movie star.It all started with this classified ad in the Boulder Daily Camera, January, 1983.SPANISH Towers Luxury Condominiums. Following an investigation, authorities discovered Sid had been killed by a single shot fired at a slight downward angle from a.20-gauge shotgun. Before arriving in Boulder, Smika had lived in North Platte, Nebraska, and Akron, Colorado, throughout his formative years. For 30 years hes been doggedly trying to solve this cold case. "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. 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. They said it's possible he lived in Yelapa, Mexico for many years after he was released from custody. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Smika stayed up until around 6:30 a.m. before he was seen by a neighbor moving a trash can outside and back inside, locking the apartment door and falling asleep. My view is the warrant couldve been approved long ago, and had it been, its possible that Mr. Smika mightve been found more quickly, Garnett said. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. 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. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers. 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. . Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983 for first-degree murder. Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. Currently Reading. 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. When David Hayes left for work on the morning of December 30 last year, he had no idea that he would not have a home to return to that night. 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.. An additional 149 homes and 30 other buildings were also damaged. 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. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . News. To date, the trail has been cold, but Boulder police said they have not given up. in 2011 the Boulder County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved an. Thayne Smika, now 54, is being sought in 1983 murder of 22-year-old Sid Wells; . John Walsh is looking for a man suspected of killing his roommate and has been on the run since 1986. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. New DA furthers investigation, obtains new arrest warrant. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R Wells' brother found his body August 1, 1983, in Wells' Spanish Towers condominium. However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. Prefer C.U. 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. 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.