Homicide victim identified
Steamboat Springs — The Routt County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon was still trying to find Cole J. Pollard.
He has been named as a person of interest in the death of Patricia Richmond, 22, who was found at 56730 Lupine Court east of Clark in North Routt County.
Pollard is five feet, nine inches tall, 160 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
He is possibly driving a 1999 White GMC Suburban with oversized tires, black rims and a loud exhaust. Anyone who has seen this individual or has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 970-879-1090.
About 7:15 p.m. Monday, emergency responders were called to a report of a woman who was discovered tied up and lying face down at the home in the small, scenic community. She was not breathing and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The home in the Elk Ridge subdivision is owned by Amy and Russell West.
Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins said a family member discovered the woman after coming home from work.
Russell West said Tuesday that Richmond, a 2010 Soroco High School graduate, was engaged to his 24-year-old son, Keith West, who was at the crime scene while deputies were investigating. The Wests are longtime residents, and Keith West graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2009.
According to Pollard’s Facebook page, Pollard lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is from Steamboat.
Wiggins said Pollard is a distant cousin of Keith West, and they believed Pollard was staying with grandparents in Routt County.
Wiggins would not speculate about a motive for the crime.
Wiggins said Keith West works in the coal industry, and Amy and Russell West own an auto repair business in Steamboat. Keith West and Patricia Richmond were to be married in September.
Wiggins said members of the public have been contacting his office since the release of information about Pollard.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland
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