A Colorado man who was accused of murder and spent over three weeks in jail has been exonerated after evidence emerged that his girlfriend had actually taken her own life.
Miles Kirby, a 29-year-old resident of Fountain, informed investigators on July 27 that he had discovered his girlfriend, Joslyn Teetzel, hanging from a beam in their backyard shed. However, authorities accused Kirby of staging the scene and subsequently arrested him on charges including first-degree murder, tampering with human remains, and destroying evidence.
The Fountain Police Department released a statement on July 27 expressing their condolences for the tragic and unnecessary death of Joslyn Teetzel. They vowed to seek justice and hold Miles Kirby accountable for his alleged actions. The police department emphasized the prevalence of domestic violence and the potential for abuse to escalate to fatal outcomes.
Kirby was able to post a $100,000 bond on August 18 and was ordered to stay away from the children he shared with Teetzel. Then, on Monday, following a forensic pathologist's ruling that Teetzel's death was a suicide by hanging, the charges against Kirby were dismissed.
Dr. Jarod Murdoch, the forensic pathologist, initially believed that the evidence pointed to homicide by strangulation. However, after reviewing additional information, including interview recordings and video surveillance footage, it became clear that Teetzel had intentionally taken her own life. The autopsy report indicated that the injuries observed were consistent with the rope being wrapped around the neck before being untied by Teetzel herself. The report also noted that video evidence showed Teetzel entering the shed alone before her body was discovered the following morning. Dr. Murdoch concluded that the cause and manner of death were hanging and suicide.
Kirby's attorney, Daniel Kay, criticized the Fountain Police Department for rushing to charge his client with first-degree murder without conducting a thorough investigation. Kay highlighted the presence of video evidence, as well as Teetzel's journals, prior hospitalization, and previous suicide attempt, as indications of her suicidal tendencies. He argued that if the police had taken the time to investigate the case properly, they would have realized that it was a suicide.
Teetzel's family spoke out in an interview with FOX 21 News Colorado, alleging that Kirby had abused her and suggesting that this may have contributed to her decision to take her own life. Teetzel's 10-year-old daughter claimed that Kirby had told her mother to "go kill yourself, or I will do it for you."
The Fountain Police Department declined to comment on the case, stating that it was still an active ongoing investigation. They emphasized that they would not be releasing any further statements at this time.
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