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40-year-old murder mystery solved

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A prosecuting team from the 18th Judicial District was recognized by the Colorado District Attorney’s Council for work on a cold case dating back to 1981 that led to a conviction in 2022. The team received the 2022 Outstanding Trial Team of the Year.

The annual award is given to a team of prosecutors for remarkable work in solving challenging cases from the thousands of cases brought to trial throughout the year. The Colorado District Attorneys’ Council selected a team from the 18th Judicial District for their work in solving the 1981 cold case homicide of Sylvia Quayle.

The trial team includes Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo, Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer, Investigator Matt Hanagan, Paralegal Cathy Nevil, and Victim Advocate Colleen Vogel.

“Our office actually submits multiple cases, so it’s pretty cool that they chose this one out of the 30 or so other different cases that they submitted,” said Grosgebauer.

Quayle’s body was found in the early morning of Aug. 4, 1981 by her father William. As Quayle lived alone in her home in Cherry Hills Village, the attacker cut the phone line outside her house to enable her ability to call for help. Quayle was sexually assaulted, strangled, stabbed three times, shot in the head, then left to die on her living room floor.

For nearly two decades, Quayle’s murder went unsolved until the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted a DNA sample to the FBI’s combined DNA Index Systemin 2000.

Two decades after the DNA was submitted, the Cherry Hills Village Police Department began working with United Data Connect, a genetic genealogy company. In 2021, an investigator with United Data Connect went to Anderson’s residence and collected trash bags from an apartment complex dumpster. Lab results found Anderson’s DNA on a soda can from his trash bag, which matched the DNA collected at the 1981 crime scene.

Anderson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, After Deliberation and Felony Murder. In March 2022, Anderson went to trial, however, after five days of deliberation, the jurors were unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office brought the case to trial once again on June 30, 2022. A jury found Anderson guilty on both counts of murder. Due to legal precedent, a defendant convicted of a single homicide can only be sentenced on one homicide charge.

“It’s the oldest case that’s ever been tried successfully in Colorado,” said Grosgebauer.

The sentencing laws in effect at the time of the crime have resulted in Anderson receiving the maximum sentence of life behind bars. He is eligible for parole in 20 calendar years. With the help of the Cherry Hill Village Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, DNA analyst Missy Woods, the trial team was able to bring forward a strong evidentiary case that led to a conviction.

“It was a true team effort. We couldn’t have done it without multiple different components coming together to make this case possible,” said Grosgebauer.

EVENTS

at 13050 E. Peakview Ave.

Attendees can expect holiday treats, visits with Santa, local artisans and performances by local school and dance groups.

Here is the schedule of musical performances for the event: • 11:30 a.m.: Newton Middle School Choir • Noon: Dry Creek Elementary Choir • 12:30 p.m.: Homestead Elementary Choir • 1 p.m.: Peakview Elementary Choir and Tone Chimes • 1:30 p.m.: Amplified Arts Dance • 1:45 p.m.: Metropolitan Academy of Dance • 2:15 p.m.: School of Rock

Those interested in learning more about the event can visit centennialco.gov/Calendar/Holiday-Artisan-Market.

By Dec. 8: Partnering for the Holidays

Employees of Arapahoe County Human Services created a “Partnering for the Holidays” program that provides holiday gifts to Arapahoe County residents who are clients with Arapahoe County Human Services.

The program benefits children and adults in crisis, victims of abuse or neglect, or those experiencing financial hardship, according to Arapahoe County’s website.

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the county asks people to consider donating gift cards, in increments of $25, this year. If residents want to donate an item rather than a gift card, the county listed items it recommends purchasing on its website.

People can drop off donations until Dec. 8 at two locations: Arapahoe County Human Services located at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora, or the human services building located at 1690 W. Littleton Boulevard in Littleton. Gifts can also be shipped to Kala Slater at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora.

Those interested in learning more about the program or donating an item can find more information at arapahoegov.com/415/ Partnering-for-the-Holidays.

Dec. 10: Visit the Village

From a synthetic ice rink to a petting farm, Arapahoe County’s “Visit the Village” holidaythemed event offers a variety of activities for families to enjoy.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, located at 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora.

Attractions include meet-andgreets with Santa, a petting farm, synthetic ice rink, local vendors, inflatables, and an ornament and craft station.

The event also features a “home for the holidays”-themed gingerbread house contest. To participate, residents can drop off their decorated gingerbread house on Dec. 7 or Dec. 8 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To sign up to participate, visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/f/22.

The first prize for the contest is a two-night stay at Fairfield Inn and Suites. Judges will score entries and the winner will be announced at 1 p.m. during the “Visit the Village” event Dec. 10.

To attend the event, residents can purchase a $10 ticket for general admission, or they can have free admission to the event if they donate a new, unwrapped gift for any age. The donated gifts will support the Arapahoe County Human Services’ Partnering for the Holidays gift giving program.

Those interested in finding more information or attending the event can visit bit.ly/visitvillage22.

By Jan. 17: Sock It To ‘Em campaign

The City of Centennial is collecting socks to help people experiencing homelessness from now through Jan. 17.

There are collection boxes scattered throughout the city for people to drop off new socks of all sizes and age groups.

The collected socks benefit the Sock It To ‘Em Campaign, a Denver nonprofit serving local homeless shelters. According to the nonprofit’s website, socks are the number one clothing need of those experiencing homelessness.

Some of the main drop-off locations in Centennial are: • Centennial Civic Center, located at 13133 E. Arapahoe Road. • Koelbel Library, located at 5955 S. Holly St. • Castlewood Library, located at 6739 S. Uinta St. • Smoky Hill Library, located at 5430 S. Biscay Circle • Southglenn Library, located at 6972 S. Vine St.

Those interested in learning more about the campaign can visit centennialco.gov/socks.