. There was just no sign of life whatsoever, Wells said. stream Police in 2011 issued a first-degree-murder arrest warrant for Thayne Smika, 54, . The story made headlines across Boulder County when Smika was tabbed as a suspect, though a friend was quoted in the paper as saying hed said the other man whom Smika had allegedly stolen the drugs and money from was to blame. Sid, it turns out, had a decent amount of the drug reportedly spending around $2,000 for an ounce at one point, though it wasnt clear how he got the money. He said it had turned into his nightmare too, she said. 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. If you have information about Thayne Smika or his whereabouts contact Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890 orfrenzenj@bouldercolorado.gov. Sam Wells still struggles with talking about that day. . You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Source: CNN. Detective Tom Dowd may be reached at 303-441-3385. Hayes is the 2022-2023 President of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. 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. But Smika was still off the radar, and nobody had looked at any of the new evidence hard enough to pursue new charges. Robert Redford stopped production of his film The Natural so he and his family could attend Sids funeral. Investigators wasted no time paying a visit to Smika in Akron. Thayne'scloset included a.20-gauge shotgun, cartridges, a box of shells, three shells of which were missing. Assistant District Attorney Kevin M. Osborne Mary C. Brejcha Jayne Davis Dewire Andrea M. Will Lindsey H. Hirt Abbey L. Nickolie Melissa J. Zilavy Shawn N. Woller Kristina J. Gordon Jack A. Pitzo Molly M. Schmidt Zachary A. Wittchow Police and prosecutors know their suspect and have a warrant out for his arrest. A grand jury failed to indict him, and two previous Boulder County district. Oklahoma had the highest population of Smika families in 1920. Police focused their attention on Thayne Smika and, when forensic evidence confirmed their suspicions, they arrested him. She grieved in ways that I cant even imagine, Menger said. And it was questions from Sid and friends regarding several grams of missing coke, a few hundred dollars, and Smika's behavior that police believe eventually led to Sids murder just before noon on Aug. 1, 1983. 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The FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Smika's arrest and conviction. "It's past time for justice for Sid Wells and his family," Deputy Chief Dave Hayes 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. and xZms6_*! This was in the days before HIPPA. Sidney Wells Murder And Case Update. A. Greg 01:37 - Source: CNN. While Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983, about two months after the slaying, then-District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to charge him, saying there wasn't enough evidence. But as time passed, Sid began having trouble collecting the rent. Darryl Smika said he has theories on where his son is hiding, but theyre mine. He said he absolutely believes his son is innocent in the infamous homicide, and he hopes police never find him. This was about 33% of all the recorded Smika's in USA. Smika would be off scot-free for the time being, which infuriated the still-grieving Wells family. He loved the way her hair fell over her eyes. Smika, who was often late with rent, was supposed to pay Wells the day he was killed, investigators said. He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. This story was originally reported August 10, 2014. I hope its solved, he said. He was in debt, ducking out on bills and hiding from authorities, and was said to be sloppy, usually unemployed, moody, and easily set off by those who knew him. appreciated. ", Additional Information From Boulder Police. An arrest warrant for murder was issued but Smika was nowhere to be found. A grand jury convened to investigate the homicide, but failed issue an indictment in 1985 after Hunter made a clandestine deal with Smikas public defender. That, according to police interviews, made for easy pickings for Smika, who was apparently one of only two people aside from Sid who knew where he kept his stash. We heard Thayne Smika had been arrested, we were elated, and I thought, Oh, you know, got the family settled down and law enforcement did their job. Hayes never gave up on getting justice for the Wells family and, in 1997, Boulder police reopened the case. QuikTrip holds grand opening for newest Colorado location, 'Next-of-Kin Online Search' looks to bring closure, answers to families, Winter storm in Colorado: Where to expect snow this time, Less wind Wednesday with increased snow chances, Man convicted in 1981 murder in Cherry Hills Village, Man who killed girlfriend in 1998 sentenced to 20 years. Investigators pay a visit to Smika's mother's home. Were revictimized on a daily basis because our loved one is not there to share that moment with us. 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. This process is automatic. Wells' mother June Menger says Redford is like a daughter-in-law to her, even though she never saw her son married. Thank you! He had a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Forgery and he was also the suspect in a 1983 Boulder, CO Homicide. 100 posts. An autopsy showed Wells was shot execution-style at point-blank range in the back of the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. Wells was entering his senior year at the University of Colorado, and his death drew international attention because he was dating actor Robert Redfords daughter, Shauna Redford, at the time. Detectives couldnt be reached Wednesday to comment on whether they obtained any leads from the family members phones. An advocate of mental health co-responders working alongside police officers, Hayes said, We want to be the people that people in the community call when they have a problem., Dave is just a natural, said Hayes long-time mentor, Burkhalter. Boulder police have given The ENQUIRER sketches of Smika's possible age-enhanced appearance. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. IE 11 is not supported. After police ruled his brother out as a suspect, they began to focus on Smika. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There was blood spattered on a magazine on the coffee table close to a note Sam himself had left saying he was going camping, as well as another note from Smika: Sid/Sam Ive gone home to visit my folks for a couple of days and Ill be back Tuesday or Wednesday. Its disturbing on so many levels.. But, after Smika moved in, they realized he wasnt very sociable and, Menger said, I think he was having trouble coming up with the rent money.. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, California. 15 0 obj New DA furthers investigation, obtains new arrest warrant. Why? he wonders. Report inappropriate content . in 2011 the Boulder County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved an. He also reviewed the grand jury decision by Hunter. I have no doubt in my mind that that shotgun was responsible for Sids death, Neitzel said. Redford said in 1997 that Wells' murder still haunted him. Middle Name: Alan. How can a district attorney actually handle his grand jury in such a manner? What happened over the next several hours remains unclear, but by noon, Sid was dead. In Sids obituary, Shauna was listed as survivor, girlfriend and best friend. To view more information on a district, click on a county within that region. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers. Boulder police are asking for help finding Smika, suspected of killing Sid Wells, a 22-year-old. The suspect in this case is a man named Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' in 1983. Thayne Smika has been missing since 1986 after his mother posted a bond for the 1983 murder of his roommate Sid Wells. A Boulder Daily Camera piece on this development notes that Smika was suspect number one in the execution-style slaying from the jump. Thayne Smika, who is believed to be living under an assumed identity, would be 54 now. In 2010, armed with more sophisticated forensic and ballistic evidence, he says he was once again able to pinpoint Thayne Smika as the likely killer. (Information retrieved from NamUs.g. Over the years, Hayes has worked as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant, commander, and deputy chief. Thayne.. Smika stayed up until around 6:30 a.m. before he was seen by a neighbor moving a trash can outside and back inside, locking the apartment door and falling asleep. Example video title will go here for this video. 2 0 obj Smika was arrested on Oct. 6, 1983 for first-degree murder. It's an unsolved mystery involving a beautiful college town, a picture-perfect young couple and even a movie star. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. Under Garnett, an arrest warrant was issued for Thayne Smika, a roommate of Wells' and a longtime suspect in the case. He worked through college at the Boulderado Hotel. Stories worth watching (13 Videos) Roommate missing after killing In December 2012, a judge signed an arrest warrant for Smika after Boulder police developed more evidence in the case. We couldn't understand why they let him go.". The Smika family name was found in the USA in 1920. Shauna quit college. Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time declined to take the case. But authorities could not find him. Thayne Smika disappeared in 1986, and the police didn't issue an arrest order for him until 2011. 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. He spent a little over half an hour airing out his sleeping bag and cleaning out his car before going upstairs to his apartment. Sids mother, June Menger, describes her youngest son as a good-looking, vivacious, young man who was interning at a local television station and wanted to fly jets for the U.S. Navy. Jihad Ramadan is wanted by U.S. 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. Sid didnt learn until later that Shauna was the daughter of actor Robert Redford. 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He should be considered armed and dangerous. He didnt deserve being murdered.. Smika left the area, and in 1986 his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, Calif. Wells'. "Thayne Smika escaped a first-degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of . and Smika's potential motivation would have been because she owed Wells $300 in rent that day. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. MDAA is an independent state agency whose mission is to support the eleven elected Massachusetts District Attorneys and their staff, including approximately 785 prosecutors and 260 victim-witness advocates. Thayne Alan Smika, photo taken in 1983, courtesy of fbi.gov Smika was known around town as a college dropout and drifter. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. How in the world could this possibly happen? Sid and his brother needed a roommate and settled on Smika, but they werent close friends. 2023 Cable News Network. She said Robert Redford and her son were friends, and they went jogging and skiing together. 6: 6 "Trafficking in . 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. The case was presented to a grand jury but the District Attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, did not believe he had enough evidence to try Smika and released him from custody. Furnished living room. Sid Wells, a 22-year old journalism student at the University of Colorado, was looking for someone to rent a room to. District Attorney Susan L. Opper. But part of his story didnt add up from the beginning: His mother was away on a trip to Fort Collins all week. A young man is murdered under suspicious circumstances. The trail has been frozen, but Boulder police said they haven't given up. <> 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. My brother is dead, and Im angry that the system didnt work better then. Sid Wells in 1983 (credit: Boulder Police Department). Marshals in connection with a 2005 stabbing and Thayne Smika is wanted by the FBI for murder. When she came back around 12:15 p.m., her boyfriend was dead. However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. It's time for justice, said Hayes, who has remained in touch with Wells' family over the last three decades. It carries first-degree murder charges, a $5 million bond and the conditions that Smika have no contact with the Wells family should he ever be caught. Police and the family believe he changed his name and disappeared. What Happened To Nia From Real World Portland? %PDF-1.7 Thayne Smika is accused of fatally shooting his roommate in the back of the head on August 1, 1983, in their Spanish Towers apartment after Sid Wells demanded Smika pay back his rent. Reply. Im still hopeful. 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. Things were going as planned for Smika, according to the documents, late on July 31. Smika concocted an elaborate plan in which he said he planned to stake out their apartment and wait for the alleged thief to come in and steal the rest of the drugs. During his boyhood, Hayes thought about becoming a priest, but an interaction with a Denver police officer, R. James Burkhalter, helped him decide what he wanted to be. Smika's mother) Thayne Alan Smika, a white male, DOB February 27, 1959, and then described as being 5-11, 140 pounds with Brown Hair and Brown Eyes, was at the residence and the detectives notified him of the murder. Smika's family says the last time they heard from him was in 1986, when he said he was leaving town. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Following his release from detention, they claimed it's conceivable Thayne spent a significant amount of time living in Yelapa, Mexico. Following the murder, Shauna went on to marry university professor Eric Schlosser, the best-selling author of Fast Food Nation. 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. Smika was also profiled in the January 23, 2019 episode of the Investigation Discovery series In Pursuit with John Walsh. Hayes home was one that was turned to ash. Directory of District Attorney Offices. But Sid and a friend confronted him about the missing drugs, andSmika blamed their disappearance on another man. 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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