Illegal and prescription drugs were found in the blood of an armed intruder in Boulder County who was beaten and stabbed to death by the homeowners, authorities said Tuesday.
Evans Sussman tested positive for cocaine, heroin and Wellbutrin, an antidepressant, according to Boulder County Coroner Thomas Faure.
“Although the levels of cocaine and heroin are significant, drawing conclusions from the levels and how it might have influenced his behavior in this situation is difficult because of individual factors, such as drug tolerance,” Faure wrote in a statement.
Authorities say Sussman rode a bicycle to the Poorman Road home of Becci Starr and her husband, Scott Mattes, on Oct. 3.
They say Sussman was armed with a toy gun and a knife and was wearing a mask when he knocked on the door and announced he was with the Boulder County police, an agency that does not exist.
When Starr opened the door and the intruder forced his way in, she grabbed a baseball bat she kept behind the door and hit him with it.
Her husband tackled Sussman and stabbed him with his knife.
Mattes tried to resuscitate Sussman after he stopped resisting, but it was too late.
The Boulder County District Attorney declined to prosecute the couple because they were defending themselves in their own home.
After Sussman was identified as the intruder, authorities learned that Mattes and Starr had some connection to him.The couple had hired him to work on their car at their home several years ago.
While Sussman was at their home, he discussed his impending divorce, and Mattes referred Sussman to his personal lawyer, Howard Bittman.
Bittman handled Sussman’s 2002 divorce.
Boulder County sheriff’s detectives learned Sussman was having financial problems and continue to investigate whether he was involved in other crimes.
Staff writer George Merritt contributed to this story.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
