>> Can You Help Solve a Mystery? (09/09)

Behind the Badge: A Message from Sheriff Ted Mink

Do you have any information that might help investigators crack one of Jeffco’s unsolved cases?  The crimes outlined here have dogged detectives — some for many years. 

If you have a tip on any of these cases, please call our tip line at 303-271-5612 or send us an e-mail.  Sometimes all it takes is one tip to help bring a criminal to justice.

Brandi Jo Malonson: Disappeared in December 2006
Brandi Jo Malonson was last seen by her family in December 2006, when she left their house in south Jefferson County.  Brandi was on probation at the time of her disappearance and has a history of drug use.  A few months after Brandi's disappearance, friends and associates contacted her family members and told them that Brandi died of an overdose or was killed and her body dumped. 

Investigators are also looking for Lisa Gibson (born 1964) who may have information on Brandi's disappearance.  Lisa is known to frequent South Broadway bars. 

Brandi was born in 1983.  She has light brown hair and blue eyes.  She is 5'0" and weighs 115 lbs.  She has several tattoos, including a butterfly on her back, a cross on her left calf, and a Chinese character on her left ankle.

David Chavez: Body found in White Ranch Park
In late December 2003, a man walking in White Ranch Park north of Golden discovered a body in a shallow grave.  Investigators later identified the victim as David Chavez, 29, of Denver. Chavez was identified by his family members after depictions of his tattoos were featured on the local news. 

Chavez had ties to gangs and most likely knew his killer.

Stephanie Hart and Nicholas Kunselman: The “Subway homicides”
On February 14, 2000, Columbine High School students Stephanie Hart and Nicholas Kunselman were found dead at the Subway sandwich shop at 6768 W. Coal Mine Ave. in south Jeffco.  Hart, 16, had stopped at the restaurant to pick up Kunselman, 15, her boyfriend, at the end of his shift.  A coworker later discovered their bodies.

Witnesses saw a young man leaving the Subway store via the back door after midnight.  He was described as a white male, 16-18 years old, about 5’7”, 150-170 lbs, clean-shaven, with longer blond hair.  

CrimeStoppers is offering up to $2,000 and the Subway corporation is offering $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

John Lilly: A man, a Mercedes, and a mystery
On July 2, 1979, at about 9:30 p.m., motorists along West 64th Avenue, about ½ mile west of Easley Road, found a man's body in the road.  The body was identified as 27-year-old John Lilly, who had died of gunshot wounds.  Lilly was known to sell drugs.  He had left his mother’s home in Greeley early that morning in his two-door gray Mercedes.  The Mercedes was left along the road near Lilly’s body.  Lilly was wearing blue jeans and a blue T-shirt.  

To read about Jefferson County’s cold cases, visit our Web site: www.jeffcosheriff.com.

Behind the Badge Archive

Last Modified: Sep 11, 2009 11:05 AM