Former Owner Of Bar Says Ex-Wife Is Among Victims

DENVER (CBS4)- The former owner of the bar where five bodies were found inside early Wednesday said he believes his ex-wife may be among the victims inside.

Shortly after he talked with CBS4, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed that Young Fero was among the victims.

Denver Police and Firefighters rushed to Fero's Bar and Grill on 357 S. Colorado Boulevard at about 1:50 a.m. When firefighters entered the building they found five bodies inside. All four women and one man were dead.

Danny Fero said his ex-wife, Young Suk Fero, kept the bar and has been running it with her brother and other family members.

"I saw the news story this morning. The helicopter was going over and I recognized the car," said Fero. "I believe she was one of the victims."

Fero said she always closed the bar. He said her car remains parked outside the bar beyond the crime scene tape barrier.

"That just tells me she was there," said Fero.

Young was listed among the victims in the bar along with Daria Pohl, 22, of Denver, Kellene Fallon, 45, of Denver, Ross Richter, 29, and Tereasa Beesley, 45, of Denver.

Police said it appears the victims were murdered before the fire was set, although they said they are still early in their investigation and many details are still unknown. They did say no one else was hurt besides those who were killed.

"The fire department responded to the scene. Once they were on the scene they discovered five bodies inside," White told reporters at the scene a few hours later. "It appears there was some trauma to the bodies. It also appears that it was an arson. So this is currently being classified as an arson-homicide."

Fero said he and his ex-wife always maintained a good relationship because they have a 32-year-old daughter together. She lives in Maryland.

Fero said the bar and her customers were a big part of her life. He is confused why a mass killing happened inside the business.

"She never mentioned any kind of threat or any problems like this," said Fero.

Across the street from Fero's is Shotgun Willie's. The manager there said Young was a giving person and was always helping and feeding the homeless who frequently walk along Colorado Blvd.

"She always closed herself," said former Fero's employee and friend of Young Valerie Chollet. "It's horrible. She was a great person and touched a lot of people, a lot of people's lives.

"She was not bad to anyone. She got along with everyone so it doesn't make sense."

Young's friends said she has been struggling to keep the place open and had been looking for interested buyers.

Patrons of Fero's said violence, disturbances and a "rough crowd" were commonplace at the bar.