Westminster, CO–Police believe they have the person responsible for the kidnapping and brutal murder of 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway. The chief suspect is a boy. 17 year old Austin Reed Sigg of Westminster is in custody facing at least five felony charges including first degree murder and kidnapping. According to reports, Sigg turned himself in to the Westminster Police Department last night after having a conversation with his mother. Sigg’s mother allegedly called a tipline with vital information about her son. Jessica Ridgeway’s abduction made national headlines. She disappeared on the morning of October 5th while on her way to school. Her dismembered body was found five days later in the Kentner Lake neighborhood. Sigg is also being linked to the failed abduction of a 22 year old woman last May. According to background reports, Sigg dropped out of Standley Lake High School, earned his G-E-D and enrolled at Arapahoe Community College to study mortuary science. He’ll appear in court tomorrow.
ASPEN (AP) – Someone painted “Kill Obama” on a house under construction in Aspen, prompting inquiries by police and the Secret Service. The owner of the home painted over the sign Tuesday, the same day it was reported to police. Aspen Police officer Terry Leitch says the owner of the house, Lee Mulcahy, told investigators he didn’t paint the words. Leitch says investigators don’t consider the words to be a direct threat on President Barack Obama’s life. No arrests were made. Leitch said he and a Secret Service agent spoke with Mulcahy Tuesday. Several residents complained about the sign to police and the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority.
DENVER (AP) – President Barack Obama returned to Colorado today as part of a nearly around-the-clock campaigning tour. The president held an afternoon rally at Denver’s City Park after campaigning in Davenport, Iowa. He’ll attend campaign rally in Las Vegas featuring a free concert by pop singer Katy Perry later today.
DENVER (AP) – Nearly one-tenth of Colorado’s active registered voters has already cast ballots for the November elections. Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler said today that roughly 326,000 people have voted. Early voting started Monday in Colorado, and mail ballots were sent out Oct. 15. Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats in voting so far.
CORTEZ, Colo. (AP) – Authorities say a fire that spread from a trash burn on private land in southwest Colorado has prompted evacuations in Montezuma County. The Roatcap Fire was estimated to be burning on about 100 acres today. The Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center estimates about 100 homes, power lines and a Colorado Department of Transportation storage facility are threatened.
