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Investigators Stumped Over High School Teacher's Murder


KIOWA, Colo. (CBS4)- The case of murdered high school teacher Randy Wilson has stumped investigators. DNA evidence has been collected from the scene, but investigators don't know who it belongs to.

Wilson's body was found in rural Elbert County almost one year ago. Police have released new information about the case and the people they want to talk to.

Randy Wilson Death
Kiowa high school teacher Randy Wilson's body was found along the Arapahoe-Elbert county border. It appeared as though he'd been strangled. (credit: CBS)

Investigators said in June 2010, two people passed through Bennett, stopping at a gas station. They were traveling to Aspen. At about the same time, Wilson was at the gas station.

The next morning, his body was found 15 miles away near his car, with a bag over his head, a belt around his neck and his hands bound behind his back.

Almost 10 months later, Elbert County Sheriff Shane Heap said his office is still searching for answers.

"We're asking the public to come forward with any information that would help us with this investigation," said Heap. "We believe her name is Krista Coppedge."

krista-coppedge
Krista Coppedge (credit: kristacoppedge.com)

The sheriff's office has been looking for Coppedge, formerly of Florida, and her ex-boyfriend, Steven Nicholson of Tallahassee. Deputies said the couple was in a 1980s BMW when they pulled into the gas station off Interstate 70 in Bennett at about the same time as Wilson.
"We know that Mr. Wilson was traveling from Montana to Colorado, he had dinner that night in Cheyenne Wyoming and then stopped for fuel in Bennett," Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap said.

Heap said Coppedge has no criminal history and that they were having a hard time finding her.

"We never been able to speak with her or locate her," Heap said.

Reporters tracked her down in California in just a matter of minutes. Coppedge told CBS4 by phone that she doesn't remember seeing Wilson that night.

"I believe it's because what you folks helped us do today that we came across that information," Heap said.

"I unfortunately couldn't help them out that much," Coppedge told CBS4 over the phone.

Wilson's wallet was missing along with his credit card. That card was never used after his death.

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