Kidnapped woman found dead in Colorado; 2 Wyoming men and 1 woman arrested
01/03/2022 11:42 am PST
AURORA, Colo. (TCD) -- Three people from Wyoming were arrested in connection with the disappearance of a woman who was found dead in Douglas County on New Year’s Eve.
According to a news release from the Aurora Police Department, detectives believe that the missing 29-year-old woman was last seen in Aurora and may have been kidnapped on Nov. 6 in the area of East Colfax Avenue and North Victor Street.
The suspects, 43-year-old Shantel Edlund, 39-year-old Casey Childers, and 23-year-old Leo VanBuskirk, were reportedly last seen driving in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Police say authorities located their vehicle in Douglas County on Nov. 7 near North State Highway 83 and Russellville Road.
On Dec. 29, police say the three suspects were arrested for unrelated charges and the Aurora Police Major Crimes Unit traveled to Wyoming that day to question them. On Dec. 30, detectives reportedly served arrest warrants for the three suspects on first-degree kidnapping charges.
On New Year’s Eve, police say the female victim was located near the area of Highway 83 and Russellville Road. She was pronounced dead at the scene and had suffered an apparent gunshot wound. According to police, the victim’s identity will be confirmed and disclosed after identification and notification of next of kin.
Edlund, Childers, and VanBuskirk remain held at the Sheridan County Detention Center. According to police, they were initially charged with first-degree kidnapping, but first-degree murder charges are likely in the next couple of days.
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