Woman Found Dead in Colorado Over Half a Century Ago Finally Identified

After 51 years of mystery, a woman found dead in Weld County, Colorado, has been identified. The body, previously known only as “Jane Doe 1973,” has been confirmed to be Roxanne Colleen Leadbeater.

Discovery and Identification Process

Roxanne Leadbeater’s body was discovered near the bank of the St. Vrain River, north of U.S. Highway 66 west of Platteville, on November 19, 1973. Despite numerous efforts to identify her over the years, she remained unknown until recent breakthroughs in forensic technology.

In April 2022, Leadbeater’s remains were exhumed for genetic genealogy testing, a modern technique used in cold cases to match genetic data with living relatives. This process ultimately led to a breakthrough in February 2024, when the Colorado Bureau of Investigation released a report indicating that the unidentified woman was likely Roxanne Leadbeater.

Family Tragedy and DNA Confirmation

Detective Byron Kastilahn from the Weld County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) contacted surviving relatives of Leadbeater, although her parents and brother had already passed. One of her cousins, who had lost touch with Leadbeater years ago, agreed to provide DNA for comparison.

On December 3, 2024, after a long investigation, the DNA results confirmed that the body found in 1973 was indeed Roxanne Colleen Leadbeater.

Leadbeater’s Mysterious Disappearance

Leadbeater, who was just 15 years old when she went missing, was originally from Los Angeles, California. Relatives shared that they had lost contact with her after she disappeared, and they were unsure of her presence in Colorado at the time of her death. Investigators also found that local law enforcement had no records of her being reported as a runaway or missing person.

Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations

Though Leadbeater’s identity has been confirmed, questions remain regarding how she ended up in Colorado and the circumstances surrounding her death. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case, hoping to uncover more details about Leadbeater’s life and tragic fate.