9 Worst Cases of Capital Crimes in Colorado History
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Alt text: Police car with cops on duty
Greeley is one of the most serene places to be in Colorado. The beautiful city has a vibrant culture and welcoming people. Like any other city, Greeley has its share of negative individuals who have tarnished its reputation. There have been some disturbing cases of capital criminal misconduct in Greeley, and we will be talking about some of the worst stories in this article. Let's start with serial killers in Colorado.
The Hammer Killer Murders
Alex Ewing was one of the most violent serial killers in Colorado history. Every Greeley criminal lawyer knows how the Hammer Killer killed three members of the Bennett family in 1984 with a hammer. He was also guilty of rape and other forms of assault. After the trial, he faced four consecutive life sentences.
Ted Bundy’s Murders
Another popular serial killer who was active in Colorado is Ted Bundy. In 1975, Bundy killed three people by luring them with his innocent-looking face. After his arrest, Bundy chose to represent himself in court, but he lost the case and was executed in 1989.
The Colorado Cannibal’s Attacks
Alfred Packer earned the nickname "Colorado Cannibal" due to his notorious actions in Colorado. 1874: Packer tricked five men into following him on a wilderness hike. When they were far away from civilization, he killed all of them and ate their corpses, returning to town alone. They arrested him and sentenced him to 40 years.
Denver Prostitute Killer
The Denver Prostitute Killer, birth name Vincent Groves, is another serial killer who murdered 17 people from 1979 to 1990. He primarily targeted prostitutes and vulnerable women. Once caught, he served his time and eventually passed away in prison in 1996.
Richard Paul White the Strangler
This is another gruesome serial killer who terrorized Colorado in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He brutally murdered six individuals by drugging, raping, and strangling them. His victims were one man and five women. In 2003, White received a sentence of 144 years in prison.
Aurora Movie Theater Massacre
James Holmes carried out another gruesome attack from a mass murderer. In 2012, he took a loaded gun to the crowded Aurora movie theater, causing serious panic as people ran for safety. By the time he finished, he had killed 12 people and injured over 70 others. Subsequently, the court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Columbine High School Massacre
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were responsible for the Columbine High School Massacre that claimed the lives of 13 people and injured over 21. After shooting as many people as they could, they killed themselves before they could be captured to face the consequences of their actions.
The Murder of Ashley Summers
The case of Luis Guzman killing Ashley Summers was particularly heart-wrenching because she was his 14-year-old girlfriend. He killed her and left her lifeless body in an abandoned house. Ashley went missing for a long time until the police finally tracked her body down. Investigations revealed that Luis was responsible for her murder, and he was convicted shortly after.
The Frederick Murder Case
The last, most gruesome case on the list is the Frederick murder case. In 2018, Chris Watts murdered his entire family in their home in Frederick. His family included his wife and two young daughters. Chriss was arrested and sentenced to five consecutive years in prison.
Conclusion
There is no easy way to talk about the gruesome murders that happened in Colorado. However, learning about the state's history, even the sad aspects, is essential.