The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has released the identities of two homicide victims who were found in the 4000 block of County Road 4 near Howard on December 21st.
Deputies discovered the bodies of 83-year-old Carl Cooper and 75-year-old Susan Cooper after being dispatched to the area for a report of a structure fire.
The Fremont County Coroner has determined the manner of death was a homicide.
Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper said in a press that Deputies were dispatched to the 3800 block of County Road 4 for the fire, and while conducting a neighborhood canvas, a deputy located a residence of County Road 4 with an open door. When deputies approached the door, they saw what appeared to be person on the floor with obvious injuries.
Cooper said, “The deputy entered the residence to render aid but determined that the individual to be deceased. A second body, also with signs of trauma, was also located.”
41-year-old Eric Escobedo is the owner and resident of the structure that was burned in the 3800 block of County Road 4. Sheriff Cooper said Escobedo was located at the scene of the fire by Fremont County deputies and was suffering from burns and exposure.
He was transported to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida for treatment. Escobedo was later released then arrested by Salida Police for an assault that occurred at a homeless shelter. He is currently in custody at the Chaffee County Detention Center.
Cooper said it is not known of the two incidents are related, but both are currently under investigation.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is waiting on digital forensic evidence and fingerprints.
