Shauna quit college. According to court documents, he told his family members to get passports in order to be able to visit him, implying that he would be leaving the country, but his family claims they havent heard from him since either. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . The comments below have not been moderated, By 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? Police released his 1983 mugshot and an age-progressed image of what he might look like today. 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. 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. 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. 7 Thayne Smika Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 7 Thayne Smika Premium High Res Photos Browse 7 thayne smika stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much You will be redirected once the validation is complete. Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. Tonight, In Pursuit with John Walsh takes a look at both men and the allegations against them. Lakewood, Ohio. BOULDER, Colorado (AP) 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 death three decades ago. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. For a list of Offices and access to their websites, either select "Directory of District Attorney Offices" or select a location on the map. An aspiring journalist, Wells also was part of the universitys Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. 2. Were revictimized on a daily basis because our loved one is not there to share that moment with us. However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. And his car melted in the driveway. but it can also be stressful. The following week, Smika's mother posts a $100,000 bond, and. She grieved in ways that I cant even imagine, Menger said. Smika was arrested for the homicide in 1983, however the DA at the time declined prosecution and Smika disappeared in 1986. Feb 24, 2023, 3:22 PM. It's time for justice, said Hayes, who has remained in touch with Wells' family over the last three decades. According to Trujillo, if Thayne Smika is still alive, he will eventually be caught, charged, and the case will be closed. Multiple experts confirmed it was highly likely that the shell used to kill Sid was a match to the other two shells investigators found, something Netizel says is the most damning evidence in the case. Updated Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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. Pic Credit: U.S. Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983 for first-degree murder. ", Additional Information From Boulder Police. Wells friend told police that the morning of Wells death, Smika was supposed to return some money to Sid, according to former Boulder County deputy chief Dave Hayes. 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. 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. . July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM 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. Level Contributor . Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. Wells and Redford's daughter Shauna, then 22 years old, were both students at the University of Colorado and lived in the same building. In August 1983, Hunter was publicly criticized for his failure to file charges against Thayne Smika in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Sid Wells. He has not been seen since. Things were going as planned for Smika, according to the documents, late on July 31. Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. Hayes father was a Denver physician who became ill and had to step back from his medical practice. To view more information on a district, click on a county within that region. Sam Wells had gone on an overnight camping trip and was set to return around 1:30 p.m. endstream 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~ = Sam Wells still struggles with talking about that day. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. 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. 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. Thank you! papa's burgeria hacked; superhero universe codes; wicked tuna paul died; why was matt houston cancelled; petey jones remember the titans character analysis We couldn't understand why they let him go.". With the Marshall Fire, he experienced being a victim, something he says has given him an increased sense of empathy in working with others. Thayne Smika is wanted for the 1983 slaying of his roommate, who was dating Robert Redford's daughter at the time. BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - 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' 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. Save. Smika charged, but DA's deal throws case into disarray. In 1986 his abandoned car, a Dodge Aries, was found in Beverly Hills wiped clean of prints. Hayes home was one that was turned to ash. This story was originally reported August 10, 2014. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. First published on July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM. But in 2009, Stan Garnett took over as district attorney, with a newfound interest in the case. 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 . Did you encounter any technical issues? Sid Wells, who was 22 at the time, was found shot to death in his condo in August of 1983. They can do all they want, but I have had no contact with him.. According to the affidavit, Boulder police received the requested information from the phone companies on Feb. 24. . 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. "The police department felt that way, his friends and roommates felt that way. 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. He is passionate about what he calls constitutional policing. Most of what we do is not police work, it is community safety. Smika was never seen again. 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. But, after Smika moved in, they realized he wasnt very sociable and, Menger said, I think he was having trouble coming up with the rent money.. June Menger, who is suffering from a terminal illness, is hoping to see Smika brought to justice for the murder charges against her son. Sid Wells in 1983 (credit: Boulder Police Department). 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. '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. 1, 1983, but the district attorney determined that there was not enough evidence to prosecute. The district attorney's office in Boulder County . 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. Trujillo said if Smika is still alive, he's confident he'll eventually be caught and prosecuted and the case will finally be solved. It kind of rips you to the core, Robert said. 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. 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. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.crimeshurt.com. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. I believe its possible that he still is out there.. Wells' mother June Menger says Redford is like a daughter-in-law to her, even though she never saw her son married. And in addition to paying the rent (he) was also going to give Sid some additional money and some cocaine. Wells friend told police that Wells had been selling small amounts of cocaine in recent months, according to Hayes. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. After testing the crime scene, interviewing Smika at his mothers home, and finding a 20-gauge shotgun there the same weapon Wells had been killed with police arrested Smika on October 6, 1983, for first-degree murder. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Another connection with Burkhalter came in 1977. . That summer, Sid was living with one of his brothers, Sam, and Smika in the Spanish Towers condos on 29th Street just east of campus. Got a tip? Re: Walking at night . . He may also be living in California, the FBI said. The documents detail several personal timelines from people interviewed by detectives that investigators say show Smika was his killer. When Wells was assassinated, he had just started his final year at the University of Colorado and was 22 years old. Smika had spent his younger days in North Platte, Nebraska and Akron, Colorado before eventually making his way to Boulder. "It's past time for justice for Sid Wells and his family," Deputy Chief Dave Hayes said. Smikas friends and acquaintances thought Smika to be messy, unkempt and temperamental, according to the court documents. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Prefer C.U. Momentarily the information will appear next to your cursor. appreciated. Last updated: July 17, 2020 Denver, CO 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.. [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. Thayne Smika, who is believed to be living under an assumed identity, would be 54 now. endobj Boulder police believe he may have a new identity and he may be working as a bookkeeper or accountant. It didnt make sense to me when I first heard about it, Garnett said. Smika told the detectives that a possible suspect was Craig Evans, a man Smika said had been stealing cocaine from the victim. Sid really seemed like he was a victim that should never have been. After police ruled his brother out as a suspect, they began to focus on Smika. As a Catholic kid from a large family in South Denver, Hayes fell in love with Estes Park during summers at Camp St. Malo. 2 0 obj After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in the case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS: Height: 5 feet 11 inches Weight: 140 pounds at the time of the incident Sex: Male Race: White Eyes: Hazel Place of Birth: North Dakota Hair: Brown, could be sun-bleached district attorney noun Synonyms of district attorney : the prosecuting officer of a judicial district Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web His intent is to reveal what happened within the district attorney 's office during his year there. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of . In 1920 there were 2 Smika families living in Oklahoma. Im angry that the system let me down. Wells' brother found his body August 1, 1983, in Wells' Spanish Towers condominium. I have no doubt in my mind that that shotgun was responsible for Sids death, Neitzel said. 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. They also found a box of shells with three missing. - 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 . Wells was dating Shauna Jean Redford, the daughter of actor Robert Redford, and this brought attention to the case on a global scale. When she came back around 12:15 p.m., her boyfriend was dead. She said Robert Redford and her son were friends, and they went jogging and skiing together. <> 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. By Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Thayne Alan Smika is wanted for a murder which occurred on August 1, 1983. . www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Police and the family believe he changed his name and disappeared. Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. For 30 years hes been doggedly trying to solve this cold case. 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. Marshals photo. If you have information about Thayne Smika or his whereabouts contact Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj@bouldercolorado.gov. He also reviewed the grand jury decision by Hunter. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. $300 monthly. The couple have two children, a boy and a girl. ;}v;LZ%^(R(;_/"-Rqnv};!;.cs|CGA6. The rent was due that day. upperclassman or graduate student. Stories worth watching (13 Videos) Roommate missing after killing A broken hearted Shauna later left the university. <> But more tips started rolling in. 348 Deputy District Attorney Lesli S. Boese Ted S. Szczupakiewicz Michael D. Thurston. The grand jury was the biggest shock for my family and the most difficult thing to deal with, said Robert Wells, Sids older brother. She was devastated, June Menger recalled. The guy who you believe has done it has never been brought to justice, Robert said. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R A nearby chair had been overturned, and the coffee table was moved aside. 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. His vehicle was recovered in Hollywood, CA in 1986. But he wouldnt know that until later that evening. 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. MDAA is an independent state agency whose mission is to support the eleven elected Massachusetts District Attorneys and their staff, including approximately 785 prosecutors and 260 victim-witness advocates. Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle. Oct. 6, 1983: Police arrest Thayne Smika, who was living with Wells at the time of the crime, at his family home in Akron. I hope its solved, he said. 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. He also had a fondness for cocaine, according to police interviews with friends, a habit he could not afford. Thayne Smika was arrested in 1983 for the murder of his roommate Sid Wells, but the Boulder County Jail freed him after his mother put up a bond. %PDF-1.7 Police in 2011 issued a first-degree-murder arrest warrant for Thayne Smika, 54, . 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