Families Of Douglas County Murder Victims Release Statement
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - The families of two people murdered in Douglas County thanked everyone for their prayers and sympathy on Tuesday.
Three suspects were arrested over the weekend in connection to fatal stabbings of a woman and her brother-in-law in an upscale Douglas County home, and another man already in custody is now also being held in connection with the murders.
The bodies of 39-year-old Amara Wells and 49-year-old Robert Rafferty
were discovered early Wednesday by Wells' 6-year-old daughter. The girl ran to a neighbor's house for help and reported finding her mom and uncle on the floor, with blood.
Amara Wells told authorities she was scared of her estranged husband, Christopher Wells, who was arrested the day before the discovery of the bodies.
Police arrested Christopher Wells Tuesday on suspicion of violating a restraining order after he allegedly sent hundreds of text messages to Amara Wells.
He was being held on $1 million bond. On Monday Sgt. Ron Hanavan with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced Christopher Wells is now being held in connection with the murders.
Also taken into custody over the weekend were Josiah Sher, 26; Matthew Plake, 26; and Micah Woody, 29. All three were taken into custody and being held for murder in the first degree.
The Denver Post reported that 26-year-old Josiah Sher enlisted in 2002 and is a sergeant in the Reserve. The Post also reported that all four men worked at the same auto dealership in Colorado Springs during the past year.
"The other suspects' association to the victims is not being released at this time," Hanavan said in a statement.
Statement from families of Bob Rafferty and Amara Wells:
The families of Bob and Amara would like to thank all of those who have expressed their sympathy and offered their prayers for their lost loved one's and the family. These two people were a gift to all that knew them. The families want to express their gratitude to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the state agencies and other jurisdictions who worked so diligently to bring quick arrests in this tragic and senseless crime.
The families are not willing or able to give interviews at this time as they wish to cooperate with the sheriff's office in their on-going investigation. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for the families and they ask that the public, and especially the media, respect their privacy and allow them time to grieve and deal with this tragedy. The family and their friends request that the media please cease all unsolicited calls or contact as it is causing distress.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office tip line at (303) 660-7579.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
