TBI assists Colorado with cold case; public asked to help ID victims

This is an artist's 2-D reconstruction of the female found along the bank of the San Juan River at the New Mexico and Colorado border in the fall of 1982. She is described as a white female in her late 20s to mid-30s, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall and about 114 pounds. She was dressed in Wrangler blue jeans, a floral pattern purple, yellow and blue Mao-style padded jacket and a threadbare purple haltertop. She had two pieces of jewelry, both silver, a heart pendant and a crooked horn or chili pepper. [Click to enlarge]

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting a Colorado law enforcement agency on a cold case because investigators there have reason to believe one or both homicide victims may be from Tennessee. Their identities remain unknown to this day.

The Archuleta County Sheriff's Department is seeking information from anyone who may know the identities of a man and a woman found murdered along the bank of the San Juan River at the New Mexico and Colorado border in the fall of 1982.

The male is described as a white man in his mid-20s with brown to blond hair and a reddish blond beard. He is estimated as being 5 feet, 10 inches tall and was wearing a yellow T-shirt with the logo "Lazy B Guest RanFallon Nevada," brown corduroy pants and white Converse tennis shoes.

The female is described as a white female in her late 20s to mid-30s, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall and about 114 pounds. She was dressed in Wrangler blue jeans, a floral pattern purple, yellow and blue Mao-style padded jacket and a threadbare purple haltertop. She had two pieces of jewelry, both silver, a heart pendant and a crooked horn or chili pepper.

The female was found strangled and the male found shot to death and their bodies discovered about one month apart.

Kristen Helm, TBI public information officer, said that during the initial investigation of the case, a person in the community recognized the pair as a couple they knew only by their first names.

"The victims stated to this individual they had previously lived in Tennessee," said Helm. "That detail is now being followed up on since the case is currently cold. It's a long shot, but it's worth a try."

This is an artist's 2-D reconstruction of the male found along the bank of the San Juan River at the New Mexico and Colorado border in the fall of 1982. He is described as a white man in his mid-20s with brown to blond hair and a reddish blond beard. He is estimated as being 5 feet, 10 inches tall and was wearing a yellow T-shirt with the logo 'Lazy B Guest RanFallon Nevada,' brown corduroy pants and white Converse tennis shoes. [Click to enlarge]

If anyone has information on the identities of these two individuals, they are urged to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or e-mail tipstotbi@tn.gov.