Aurora – Police Chief Daniel Oates affirmed today that the disappearance of Aarone Thompson is a homicide investigation.
Oates, on the job for just one week, said nothing has changed in the investigation despite a TV appearance Thursday by Aarone’s father, Aaron Thompson, and his girlfriend Shelley Lowe, in which they claimed their innocence and criticized police for focusing on them rather than searching for Aarone.
“We have found not a single adult or child who have seen Aarone in approximately 18 months,” Oates said.
He cited his own experience as a parent in casting doubt on Thompson and Lowe’s story that Aarone disappeared on Nov. 14th after a disagreement with her father.
He said literally hundreds of people should have seen Aarone in recent months, but police have found “not a single credible person.”
Oates emphasized that Aurora police are still working hard on the case, even though much of that effort has been “below the radar” and not evident to the media and the public.
“I want to refute the notion that we’ve done anything but our best.”
He said a tip from a person close to the family that led police to shift from a search for a missing child to a homicide investigation has been supported by additional evidence, including items found in the family’s home.
Oates criticized Thompson and Lowe for refusing to cooperate with police since the investigation shifted.
“They have failed to do so and their conduct in this case, including appearing on TV last night, is morally reprehensible.”
Accusing the couple of participating in a “charade,” he spoke directly to them at one point: “If you truly care for Aarone as you claim you do, you will come in and talk to us.”
