Man Under Arrest For Second Time In Connection With Murder Of Woman Whose Body Was Found In Colorado Canyon 17 Years Ago

A man has been arrested for the second time for the killing of a woman whose body was found in the Colorado wilderness over 17 years ago, authorities said.

John Angerer, 53, recently was taken into custody in Anchorage, Alaska, on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of 38-year-old Angela Wilds, the Boulder County Attorney’s Office said.

On June 4, 2006, two hikers in South Saint Vrain Canyon near Lyons found Wilds’ “badly decomposing” body, which “appeared to have been dragged from a nearby shallow grave, presumably by a large predator,” prosecutors said

Near the grave, prosecutors said investigators located a “neatly folded up” sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase and yellow ski pants.

DNA tests identified the remains as belonging to Wilds, and authorities linked her slaying to Angerer in 2009, officials said. He was arrested the following year on a second-degree murder charge, but around five months later, a judge dismissed the case due to a lack of probable cause.

Despite the setback, investigators through the years developed new evidence, located additional witnesses and analyzed DNA and were able to rearrest Angerer in Anchorage on March 9, according to prosecutors.

He is expected to be extradited to Colorado to face the latest murder charge.

“We are determined to secure justice for the murder of Angela Wilds, some closure for her loved ones, and answers for our community,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said, adding: “I am grateful for the tireless efforts and dedication of the investigators and prosecutors on this case.”

Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson told the Denver Post that he’s proud detectives never gave up on the cold case. “We know Angela’s family has been waiting a long time for this day to come,” he said. “Her family is in our thoughts as we take the next steps in the judicial process.”