Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs police say it will take time to identify a suspect in the murder of local resident Lori Bases. Just how much time isn't clear.

Bases' roommate called 911 at 12:45 a.m. Friday, saying he found her lying in a pool of blood in the apartment unit they rented behind a house on Steamboat Boulevard. She had been fatally stabbed at least once, although police are not releasing specific details.

Police Chief J.D. Hays said officers have been kept busy interviewing people who knew Bases.

"You have to talk to everybody in her circle of friends," Hays said. "We're getting a few Crime Stoppers calls and following up on leads. Over the weekend, we talked to dozens of people. We have to talk to everybody and that's what we're doing."

Hays said it doesn't appear that Bases had taken out a restraining order against anyone.

Information about what police learned from searching Bases' apartment is limited by a sealed warrant. Hays said a judge can seal a search warrant at the request of police, so that the public is not allowed to review the document at the courthouse. He said sealing a search warrant in a murder investigation is not out of the ordinary.

"Every time we've gotten a substantial case like this, we request that it be sealed," Hays said. "It's routine."

Police used a warrant to search the house on Steamboat Boulevard at approximately 6 a.m. Friday. Officers with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation got there around noon and processed the scene further. CBI investigators worked through Friday and most of Saturday before leaving that evening.

He said the murder weapon has not been identified. Hays said investigators took items from the house, but he is not releasing what things were removed.

"We're doing what we need to do to protect this case," Hays said. "My first priority is to find the person who did this and ensure the district attorney can successfully prosecute this case."

Hays said the exact time of death is not known. He said police have narrowed down the time frame somewhat, but would only say it happened sometime Thursday.

An autopsy was completed Saturday, but Hays said he doesn't expect to receive the autopsy report for several weeks. That report will include detailed information on Bases' time of death, the cause of death and toxicology.

Routt County Coroner Doug Allen said those details are being kept confidential.

"Details are held as part of our investigation arsenal," Allen said.

Hays refused to comment on whether police believe that Bases knew her attacker.

Asked about community concern that there might be other attacks, Hays said residents should use common sense and exercise caution.

"Even when this kind of thing isn't happening, we still have burglaries and cars stolen in this town. I've always maintained that people should lock their doors," Hays said. "Whether you live in Steamboat or Denver, people need to use common sense and lock things up."

To reach Michelle Bales call 871-4208 or e-mail mbales@amigo.net