>> Jeffco's Unsolved Mysteries (07/2006)

Behind the Badge: A Message From Sheriff Ted Mink

For updates on the cold cases mentioned here, please visit our Cold Case Files page.

In 2005, two investigators formed the Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit.  This team is the first of its kind in Jefferson County, and investigators have already made strides on a few of the 41 cases dating back to the 1950s.  Today, these investigators would like to ask for your help in solving some of Jefferson County's most puzzling homicides.

Arrest in 1989 Murder Case
This June, investigators made an arrest in the murder of Lanell Williams.  In 1989, two college students found the body of Lanell Williams near Golden.  Williams was last seen alive on Thursday, October 12, 1989 around 6 p.m., when she got some milk, dropped it off at her mother's home and left again.  Lanell Williams was known to be a drug user.

In 1989 investigators had attempted to analyze DNA evidence from the scene.  However, technology at the time was not advanced enough to yield any results.  Another attempt in 2005 by the Sheriff's Office DNA specialist, using new technology, resulted in a DNA profile.  The DNA profile led investigators to identify Billy Edwin Reid as their suspect. 

On June 2, 2006, Billy Edwin Reid (DOB: 4/9/59), was charged with first degree murder. He was in the Denver County Jail at the time on unrelated charges. Investigators are seeking more information on this case.  If you think you may know anything about the murder of Lanell Williams, or the activities of Billy Edwin Reid around that time, please contact Investigator Cheryl Moore at (303) 271-5625, or cmoore@jeffco.us.

Jane Doe Identified
In another big breakthrough, last year a fingerprint analyst used a 16-year-old print to identify the victim from a 1989 murder case as Lisa Kay Kelly.  Hikers had discovered Kelly's body on Lookout Mountain in March 1989.  She was later laid to rest in a local cemetery with a headstone reading, "Jane Doe 1989, Known Only to God."  Her identity remained a mystery until 2005, when the Cold Case team took a new look at the case.  Using new fingerprint databases to make the positive identification, investigators provided Kelly's family answers about their long-missing relative.

With a renewed vigor, the Cold Case team is delving into the Kelly homicide.  If you have any information that may help solve the murder of Lisa Kay Kelly, please contact Investigator Cheryl Moore at (303) 271-5625, or cmoore@jeffco.us.

James William Murray
On May 15, 1988 residents of a Deer Creek Canyon home experienced problems with their toilet.  After trying other remedies they opened the septic tank and inside discovered a body.  With the help of Aspen Septic Service and the Jefferson County Coroner's Office the tank was drained and the body and evidence removed.  The body was identified as that of James William Murray, known to locals as "Crazy Jim."

Family and friends had not seen Murray since December 1985, as he prepared for a trip to Arizona. Murray lived in a cabin behind Long Brothers Garage off Highway 285 near Conifer for a number of years.  He also rented a house off of Grapevine Road for a while.  He was last known to have a beige Volkswagen Rabbit. Investigation revealed that Murray had both used and sold cocaine.   

After the story of Murray's death became public, many Jefferson County residents came forward with information.  Today, the Cold Case team is seeking any information that may shed light on this case, whether or not it was provided during the initial investigation.  Please contact Investigator Cheryl Moore at (303) 271-5625, or cmoore@jeffco.us.

For more on these and other cold cases, please visit our Cold Case Files page.

Behind the Badge Archive

Last Modified: May 20, 2009 11:23 AM