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Paramedic Was First To Find His Brother Murdered On Rural Road In Windsor

WINDSOR, Colo. (CBS4) - The FBI is now investigating the mysterious murder of a bicyclist in Windsor, according to the Windsor Police Department.

A passing motorist found the body of John Jacoby, 48, Monday morning in a ditch near County Road 72 northwest of Windsor Lake. They initially thought he was the victim of a hit-and-run but the investigation revealed he had been shot twice.

John Jacoby
John Jacoby (credit: marksfuneralservice.com)

Jacoby, known to many in Windsor as Johnny, has been described as the kind of person who was everybody's friend -- someone who those that knew him just can't imagine having any enemies. Now the so far unexplained loss of his life has the whole town grieving over the man who spent his whole life in Windsor.

According to friends, if he wasn't biking to work, Jacoby could be found at one of Windsor's public parks, or at a high school sporting event. Now friends don't know how they will get used to not seeing him around their small Northern Colorado town.

One of Jacoby's brothers, a paramedic, was first to respond to the call and found his brother dead.

"We just … Windsor lost a friend," said Bobby Warner, Jacoby's friend and school board member.

Warner grew up with Jacoby and says the man biked everywhere. Jacoby helped raise money for K99 Radio's "28 Hours of Hope." The station on Tuesday called him a friend on their Facebook page. He was also a part-time caretaker for the town's parks and worked at a local grocery store.

John Jacoby
(credit: CBS)

"I don't understand, what just what happened?" Warner said.

Windsor police announced Tuesday the FBI is joining their search for clues in Jacoby's death. Lt. Richard Higuera told CBS4 the reason they are working with the FBI is because the FBI offered to help the small police department.

Police have not named any suspects or a possible motive for Jacoby's murder.

The FBI says it cannot confirm or deny an investigation into whether another traffic-related shooting last month on Interstate 25 is connected. Last month Cori Romero was shot in the neck while driving on the interstate. She was able to pull over and call for help and survived the shooting. There are still no suspects in that case.

There has also been a series of reports of people having their windows mysteriously shattered while driving in northern Colorado. With the exception of Romero's case, investigators found no evidence of gunshots in those cases.

Warner spent Monday morning talking preps with Jacoby, going over plans for Windsor's upcoming Memorial Day events. It would be their last conversation.

"He always had a friend. He could be your friend easily," Warner said.

Jacoby's was the first homicide in Windsor in eight years. Funeral services are planned for Friday with a reception to follow at the high school.

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