6: 6 "Trafficking in . Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. An aspiring journalist, Wells also was part of the universitys Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. It's like a partially opened door with a very dark room behind it, he said. stream 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.crimeshurt.com. Honorary U.S. With the FBIs help, they established new forensic and ballistic evidence linking Smika to the murder. Lakewood, Ohio. She believes Smika has had some very good cover for 30 years and has also had help staying off the grid. <> 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. This was about 33% of all the recorded Smika's in USA. Sid really seemed like he was a victim that should never have been. The FBI is currently offering a reward of $10,000 for information that results in Smika's capture and conviction. But I hope its solved with the criminal who did it, not with my son being convicted of something he didnt do.. A Warner Bros. I believe its possible that he still is out there.. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . Re: Walking at night . Sam called police, who arrived shortly afterward. The only problem is no one has seen Thayne Smika since 1986 or even called him by that name. 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 . 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. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. An arrest warrant for murder was issued but Smika was nowhere to be found. 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 Under Garnett, an arrest warrant was issued for Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' and a longtime suspect in the case. In 2011, the Boulder County District Attorneys office approved an arrest warrant for Smika on first-degree murder but his whereabouts are unknown. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. News. After a cold case investigation in December 2010 an arrest warrant for the murder was issued. 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. Now it comes down to finding a man who hasnt been seen or identified in 31 years. One of the most high-profile murders in Colorados history remains unsolved after nearly 34 years, but police and prosecutors know who their suspect is and have an active warrant for his arrest. Smikas family members were informed at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 that authorities had obtained a warrant to arrest Smika on suspicion of first-degree murder, and all of them except his mother denied knowing anything about where Smika might be hiding, according to police. /Outlines 4 0 R 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. Wind gusts were clocked at 70 to 100 mph. Allegedly Arrested For Murder, Danny Pudi And Wife Bridget Showalter Pudi Relationship With Two Children. He says he was confident in his work and the departments conclusions. She said Robert Redford and her son were friends, and they went jogging and skiing together. 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' Im still hopeful. He may also be living in California, the FBI said. 348 Boulder police are still looking for Thayne Smika after a murder warrant was issued for his arrest in 2010. Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. First Name: Thayne Alan. The victim, CU student Sid Wells, was dating the daughter of actor Robert Redford, a major reason the story attracted so much attention when he was murdered. Judicial Circuit County(ies) Prosecuting Attorney 1st Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, Woodruff: Todd Murray Sid, Shauna and a friend eventually ended up back at Sid and Smikas apartment, and they drank and used cocaine, according to the documents. Investigators wasted no time paying a visit to Smika in Akron. [KGOV updated this report on Oct. 28, 2019.] It is his decision to solve this problem his way, and I have honored it.. 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. Sid Wells' shot-to-death body was found in his Boulder apartment on August 3, 1983. 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. /MarkInfo <> The suspect, roommate Thayne Smika, has been on the run since 1986 over theft charges. in 2011 the Boulder County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved an. For the past three years, Wells had been dating Shauna Redford, daughter of actor Robert Redford, and she had seen him just a few hours before he was killed. How can a district attorney actually handle his grand jury in such a manner? Another connection with Burkhalter came in 1977. "Maybe somebody will see something, maybe they'll remember something and they'll call us up and give us some information," Boulder Police Detective Commander Thomas Trujillo said. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Smika told investigators he slept for a couple of hours that morning before he left to Akron at either 10 or 11 a.m. to visit his mother and sister, do laundry and get his hair cut and permed. 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. 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. After Boulder police gathered additional evidence in a case in December 2012, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Smika. 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. 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 was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. My dad helped review medical charts to screen for possible suspects, said Hayes. But he got home early, around 11:45 a.m. Shauna showed up a few minutes later. 7 0 obj 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. Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. 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. 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. John Walsh is looking for a man suspected of killing his roommate and has been on the run since 1986. 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. LinnyT. Boulder police release new sketches of Smika. 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 . There was just no sign of life whatsoever, Wells said. The FBI said Smika's abandoned car was found in California in 1986, but other than that, there's been no sign of him since he was released from custody. The trail has been frozen, but Boulder police said they haven't given up. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Marshal Walsh shines a light on the current search for Jihad Ramadan, who is . According to the affidavit, Boulder police received the requested information from the phone companies on Feb. 24. The police said that new evidence and advances in forensic technology had convinced them to refocus on the only suspect ever named, Thayne Alan Smika , now . 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. For interview, call Sid, 443-****, evenings. Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. Stories worth watching 16 videos. Wanted for: Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - First Degree Murder Wanted by: FBI Hair: Black: Height . Detectives couldnt be reached Wednesday to comment on whether they obtained any leads from the family members phones. All Rights Reserved. Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact . But he came anyway because of his close friendship with Wells. His vehicle was recovered in Hollywood, CA in 1986. 100 posts. He immediately called police, his shock apparent in the 911 recording. Smika says he told Sid about the trip the night before. Call 1-866-THE-HUNT (In Mexico: 0188000990546) or click here. A nearby chair had been overturned, and the coffee table was moved aside. The 22-year-old University of Colorado student had been dating Robert Redford's daughter Shauna Redford for three years at the time of his death, and she was so devastated by the loss that she dropped out of college. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 15 0 obj 06:57 GMT 09 Aug 2014 Also Read: Did Bbg Tyler Snatched JayDaYoungan? Associated Press, June Menger, the mother of murdered 22-year-old college student Sid Wells, hasn't given up hope police will find his killer, Thayne Smika, now 54, is being sought in 1983 murder of 22-year-old Sid Wells, Wells was found dead from 20-gauge shotgun blast to the back of the head in his home, Well had been dating Robert Redford's daughter, Shauna, for three years, Police believe Smika, Well's ex-roommate, has been living under alias, 'Did the HPV vaccine kill my daughter': Mother demands answers after healthy and active daughter, 12, collapses and dies after getting vaccine, Murder charges could be brought against gunman who tried to assassinate Reagan after coroner rules death this week of press secretary paralyzed in attack is homicide, Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Cops smashes window and rescue two kids from a parked car, Moment pastor FOILS armed robbery after praying for gunmen, TikTok video shows Unity Academy Blackpool pupils protesting, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. The Wells family owned the condo and had bought it for their children to use while in college. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you Windows are often overlooked when designing or purchasing home decor. 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 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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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 had spent his younger days in North Platte, Nebraska and Akron, Colorado before eventually making his way to Boulder. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. According to the documents, he told some of his friends, as well as Sid, that he was able to figure out who the culprit was, and that he went and got the man drunk, then stole back the drugs and money, which he was supposed to deliver to Sid on the morning of Aug. 1, along with his rent. But authorities could not find him. He also reviewed the grand jury decision by Hunter. 11 reviews. A grand jury was derailed by Hunter two years later, according to the Camera. Police released his 1983 mugshot and an age-progressed image of what he might look like today. 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. 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. xZms6_*! District Attorney Susan L. Opper. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Subscribe Link Copied! 2. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Discovery Company. Updated A broken hearted Shauna later left the university. 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.. Hayes father was a Denver physician who became ill and had to step back from his medical practice. The FBI speculated that Thyane Smika might also reside in California. upperclassman or graduate student. IE 11 is not supported. 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. Smika was a leading suspect when the coroner declared the death to be a homicide. 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. Smika moved to Denver then eventually left for California. . His vehicle was recovered in Hollywood, CA in 1986. <> Thayne'scloset included a.20-gauge shotgun, cartridges, a box of shells, three shells of which were missing. 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