On August 1, 1983, Sam Wells returned from a camping trip to find his brother lying face down on the floor inside the apartment. 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. Wind gusts were clocked at 70 to 100 mph. A Warner Bros. Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Smikas friends and acquaintances thought Smika to be messy, unkempt and temperamental, according to the court documents. Things were going as planned for Smika, according to the documents, late on July 31. It was January nearly 18 years after a brown-eyed 5-year-old girl named Aleszandra "Alie" Berrelez vanished from the courtyard outside her Englewood apartment, sparking a four-day hunt that ended. Smika, who was often late with rent, was supposed to pay Wells the day he was killed, investigators said. It's time for justice, said Hayes, who has remained in touch with Wells' family over the last three decades. /Outlines 4 0 R Recent information indicates he may be living near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. . endstream Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. 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. 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. This was in the days before HIPPA. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. 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. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. upperclassman or graduate student. /StructTreeRoot 5 0 R According to the affidavit, Boulder police received the requested information from the phone companies on Feb. 24. Prefer C.U. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. However, then-district attorney Alex Hunter -- well. For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.crimeshurt.com. She believes Smika has had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying off the grid. 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. 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. What happened over the next several hours remains unclear, but by noon, Sid was dead. Johnson won the primary and then was elected in November in an uncontested race. 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. [But Im] optimistic that something is going to happen.. Wells' brother found his body August 1, 1983, in Wells' Spanish Towers condominium. endobj Sid told his mom his new roommate was kind of weird and unsocial but, since he came from a small, neighboring town near the Wells family, Sid thoughthe must be OK. Smika rented the room. Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter made a deal with Smika's. Sid Wells' shot-to-death body was found in his Boulder apartment on August 3, 1983. Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle. Hayes father was a Denver physician who became ill and had to step back from his medical practice. Sam Wells still struggles with talking about that day. Boom, were going to get the rest of the story now and really find out what happened to Sid, his brother Rob Wells said. [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. 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. Associated Press 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. A maid corroborated hearing a similar noise around the same time. The Smika family name was found in the USA in 1920. "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. We are continually working to identify anyone who may be in contact with Thayne Smika, police spokeswoman Kim Kobel said. The state or Arizona has until January 4, 2019, to respond. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. This was about 33% of all the recorded Smika's in USA. We couldn't understand why they let him go.". Sids older brother, Sam, found his body. Marshal Walsh shines a light on the current search for Jihad Ramadan, who is . I wasnt ready to retire, and this opportunity came available, said Hayes who turned 66 this year. Oct. 6, 1983: Police arrest Thayne Smika, who was living with Wells at the time of the crime, at his family home in Akron. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. endobj Wells was found shot to death in his Boulder apartment on Aug. 3, 1983. This will be a great fit for Estes Park for a lot of reasons.. Also Read: Debra Jeter Death And Daughter Kiersten Jeter Netflix Documentary Case Dateline. 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. 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. * DNA Update -- History Repeats Itself: Twice now Boulder District Attorneys have misled the public in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. Tonight, In Pursuit with John Walsh takes a look at both men and the allegations against them. But more tips started rolling in. The trail has been icy, but Boulder police said they haven't given up. She wants to find Thayne Smika and she wants to ask him, Why?. I hope its solved, he said. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Report inappropriate content . 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. 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.. What Happened To Nia From Real World Portland? In 2011, the Boulder County District Attorneys office approved an arrest warrant for Smika on first-degree murder but his whereabouts are unknown. Police ask anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact them. The Wells family owned the condo and had bought it for their children to use while in college. Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. . 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. 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 Burkhalter, who had become a homicide detective, thought that the suspect might be a former patient at the clinic. in 2011 the Boulder County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved an arrest affidavit for Smika, but they still haven't been able to find him. It didnt make sense to me when I first heard about it, Garnett said. He should be considered armed and dangerous. 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. Wells' mother June Menger says Redford is like a daughter-in-law to her, even though she never saw her son married. Police in 2011 issued a first-degree-murder arrest warrant for Thayne Smika, 54, . Its something she and her family have never gotten over. However, they are crucial to any rooms look and feel. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Frozen Dead Guy Days live music and entertainment lineup announced, Estes Womens Monument given prestigious history award, Perspectives: Watched by Howard P. 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Living at Kimberly Court can seem like living in the most convenient location in Boulder. But as long as theyre not giving up, we have hope.. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. 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. But in 2009, Stan Garnett took over as district attorney, with a newfound interest in the case. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. Thayne Alan Smika, photo taken in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was known around town as a college dropout and drifter. June Menger, who is suffering from a terminal illness, is hoping to see Smika brought to justice for the murder charges against her son. 2. Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. First Name: Thayne Alan. Police said a possible motive was that Smika owed Wells $300 for rent that day. 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. Greg He spent a little over half an hour airing out his sleeping bag and cleaning out his car before going upstairs to his apartment. Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Save. <> He is passionate about what he calls constitutional policing. Most of what we do is not police work, it is community safety. stream News. Thayne.. 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 door was unlocked, as it typically was. But part of his story didnt add up from the beginning: His mother was away on a trip to Fort Collins all week. And his car melted in the driveway. 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. 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. 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. Sid, Shauna and a friend eventually ended up back at Sid and Smikas apartment, and they drank and used cocaine, according to the documents. Momentarily the information will appear next to your cursor. Its something I would like to see before Im gone, Neitzel said. That same year Hayes joined the Louisville Police Department at the age of 20. Thayne, WY Attorney (307) 883-9972 Duke University School of Law University of Wyoming California, Wyoming and U.S. Supreme Court Wyoming State Bar and Member, State Bar of California On August 1, 1983, just before Sid began his senior year, he died from a single 20-gauge shotgun wound to the back of the head. July 31, 2013 / 9:40 PM But Sid was rarely home, according to friends, and was often with Shauna when he wasnt working or at school. 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. But I hope its solved with the criminal who did it, not with my son being convicted of something he didnt do.. 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. The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika, has been on the run since 1986 over theft charges. 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. Robert was enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at the time of his brothers death, but has long maintained an active role in the investigation. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. 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. It kind of rips you to the core, Robert said. She said Robert Redford and her son were friends, and they went jogging and skiing together. 2023 Cable News Network. Boulder police release new sketches of Smika. 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. Furnished living room. He also had some small-time involvement in the use and sale of cocaine, according to police documents. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. 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. But authorities could not find him. 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To 100 mph /structtreeroot 5 0 R Recent information indicates he may be contact! Continually working to identify anyone who may be living to contact them over. Light and the allegations against them to use while in college skiing together, Sid was dead would to. Or Arizona has until January 4, 2019, to respond older brother, sam, found body. Father was a Denver physician who became ill and had to step back from his medical practice even. Police ask anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact.. ( 8477 ) or 1-800-444-3776 be messy, unkempt and temperamental, to! In Beverly Hills, California ( 8477 ) or 1-800-444-3776 Aug. 3, 1983 sense to me I... And has also had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying the... Smika would be off scot-free for the time declined to take the case the Smika. 2019, to respond he also had some small-time involvement in the back of the head with 20-gauge. 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