FEBRUARY 2, 2017
FREE
CALMING THE SENSES: DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Sensory-deprivation tanks help separate mind from body P14
Woman, girl found dead in home
BEYOND THE BASICS:
Child was shot multiple times, sheriff’s office reports
Kindergartners learn how to code P5
C IS FOR COOKIE: Local Girl Scouts create novel approaches to annual tradition P6
BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A woman and a girl were found dead inside a Highlands Ranch home the morning of Jan. 30, according to a Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office news release. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman as Cristi Benavides, 39, who was temporarily residing at the home on Crestmore Way. Her cause of death was not released. The child was identified as Emma Benavides, 10. Preliminary findings are that she sustained multiple gunshot wounds, according to the coroner’s office. While officials have not confirmed the two were mother and daughter, messages on social media and an interview with a neighbor say that was the case. A news release from the sheriff ’s office stated there is no threat to the community. A DCSO spokeswoman said there is no suspect at large. As of the afternoon of Jan. 31, the sheriff ’s office had not released any further information regarding the circumstances of the two deaths and said the investigation was ongoing. According to her Facebook page, Benavides was an artist at Free Bird Fine Art, an online gallery and artist studio based in Centennial. A Jan. 30 letter to parents from the principal at Northridge Elementary School in Highlands Ranch told of Emma Benavides’ death.
COMEBACK CATS: Rock Canyon Jaguars overcome big deficit to down Mountain Vista Golden Eagles P23
SEE DEATHS, P22
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VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 10