Wyoming's history leads back to the crazy and deadly days of the Wild West, when there was little law enforcement could do. Today, societal norms and improved enforcement have curtailed the lawlessness of the old days, but police still face some challenges. For example there are still many unsolved murders in Wyoming, as well as other cold cases. Here are eight disturbing Wyoming cold cases that will make you question the circumstances behind them.
1. James Kamai - Unsolved Homicide
What started out, apparently, as road rage ended up in murder. Kamai, 25, was shot around 8 a.m. on College Drive in Cheyenne, on June 21, 2001. Kamai's two children were in the car when he got out to confront the other driver. Tips continue to come in periodically, but the murderer still has yet to be identified.
2. Shawny Smith - Unsolved Homicide
Shawny Smith, a 32-year-old mother of two living in Cheyenne, was viciously sexually assaulted and beaten to death. In February 2003, her body was found in a farmer's field in Weld County, Colorado. There was a suspect in the case, but there was not enough evidence to prosecute. The killer remains a mystery.
3. Katherine Coffee - Unsolved Homicide
Katherine Coffee, age 35, was found dead by a co-worker inside her residence in Newcastle on June 3, 2011. She was shot to death in her residence.
4. Camilo Moreno - Unsolved Homicide
Camilo Moreno's body was found February 1, 2000, near Grey Rocks Road east of Wheatland. Moreno, 35, had been stabbed multiple times. There was no identification on his body. Moreno was from Colorado and was reported missing in November 1999. His car was found near Castle Rock, Colorado. There are no suspects.
5. Larry Peterson - Unsolved Homicide
Larry Peterson was found murdered June 4, 1999, at the age of 52. His body was discovered in a cabin near Wheatland on Palmer Canyon Road. There are no suspects.
6. Robert Lee Thornock - Unsolved Homicide
Robert Thornock, 41, escaped from the Cache County Jail in Logan, Utah in February 1997. His body was found in Strawberry Creek in Lincoln County, Wyoming. No motive nor any suspects have ever been discovered.
7. Amy Wroe Bechtel - Missing Person
Amy, 24, disappeared while jogging the Loop Road area between Lander and South Pass on July 24, 1997. Her car was found parked along the road, but there was no sign of her, and none has been found. Amy has not been seen since. This is one of the most mysterious disappearances in Wyoming.
8. Mary Virginia Webb (Mary Garcia) - Unsolved Homicide
Mary Virginia Webb's body was found in a culvert under U.S. Highway 212 in Crook County on June 26th, 1996. She had suffered three gunshot wounds to the head. She was a resident of Washington state and was traveling to Arkansas. She was last seen in Montana and was reported missing by family on June 13, 1996. This case still remains unsolved.
Do you know of any other Wyoming cold cases? Which ones chill you the most?
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