- Recorder Online - https://www.berthoudrecorder.com -

Cold Murder Cases Solved


DATE: June 14, 2010
Larimer County:

In a press conference today, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Investigators announced they have closed two cold case files from the 1980’s.

The body of Orma B. Smith, 02/29/1888, of Longmont, was found on July 9, 1982, in a stream three miles east of Big Elk Meadows with multiple stab wounds. John Agrue, 09/11/1947, was considered a suspect at that time but no charges were filed. In 1966, Agrue pled guilty in Will County, Illinois, to the murder of his sister-in-law and served 15 years in Joliet State Prison. He was released in 1982.

In July of 1982, Agrue was arrested in Boulder for the attempted kidnapping of a CU student at knife point. His parole in Illinois was revoked at that time and he was returned to Joliet State Prison. After his release, Agrue died at his residence in Illinois 2009.

During the past 28 years, Lt. Darrell Frank of our office continuously monitored Agrue and stayed in contact with his family. In March of 2010 our office and CBI reviewed the file and the evidence. DNA testing performed on all items and evidence found in his apartment confirmed investigators’ suspicions. In May of 2010, DNA evidence led Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney to close the case of the death of Orma B. Smith with a status of “Exceptionally Clear/Death of Offender.”

On January 30, 1982, the body of Gay Lyn Dixon, 11/24/1964, was found two miles east of Stove Prairie near mile marker 16 on County Road 52E as a victim of blunt force trauma to her face, a broken jaw and three gunshot wounds to her head. She had been working at a local restaurant and had attended a large birthday party the night before. Months of intense investigation and appeals to the public ensued but to no avail. In 1999 the investigation was reopened and again in 2008.

David Hehn


David Hehn, 07/22/1963, of Fort Collins was arrested at 10:45 this morning, June 14, 2010, and charged with First Degree Murder, a class one felony, and Second Degree Kidnapping, a class three felony. Through recent investigative efforts, Hehn was identified as the suspect in the murder of Gay Lyn Dixon. As the investigation is on-going, no further details of this arrest will be released at this time.