Coroner: Woman in Aaroné case died of heart disease
Arapahoe County coroner Mike Dobersen has ruled that the death of Shelley Lowe, a key figure in the disappearance of 6-year-old Aaroné Thompson, was due to severe heart disease, with her weight being a factor.
The toxicology tests on Lowe came back negative, except for trace amounts of the prescription clozapine. The drug – which is typically prescribed to treat schizophrenia – wasn’t a factor in her death, Dobersen said.
Lowe, 33, who died May 12, and Aaroné’s father, Aaron Thompson, had been labeled “persons of interest” in the disappearance of the child in November. A grand jury in Arapahoe County is investigating the disappearance.
FEDERAL HEIGHTS
Autopsy set today for tot left in bathtub
An autopsy is scheduled today on a 1-year-old girl who died two days after being left in a bathtub that was filling with running water.
Authorities declined Tuesday to release the girl’s name or the names of her parents.
The girl was left in a tub for 30 minutes Saturday before she was discovered by a sibling, authorities said. The family lives in the 2700 block of West 90th Place.
WESTMINSTER
Driver arrested in try to back over officer
Westminster police have arrested a woman they say attempted to back a stolen car over a Westminster officer during a traffic stop Tuesday, Investigator Trevor Materasso said.
Jackie Lynn Douglas fled from the traffic stop and abandoned the 1988 Honda Civic after a short pursuit near West 90th Avenue and Yukon Street, Materasso said. A police dog found Doug las hiding in the area.
GUNNISON COUNTY
Kayaker state’s 3rd holiday water fatality
A Golden man became the third person to die in Colorado waterways over the Memorial Day weekend when his kayak turned over near Marble on Sunday.
Robert Locke, 34, drowned in Anthracite Creek when his kayak became lodged in a logjam, according to the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday, Boulder kayaker Adam Barron, 30, disappeared in an extremely difficult steep gorge on Vallecito Creek near Durango and is believed to have drowned.
Doug Gordon, 57, of Gypsum also died Saturday when a private raft he was riding in flipped over in the Eagle River near Edwards’ Riverwalk Mall.
BOULDER
Panelist seeks audit of CU diversity program
A member of University of Colorado president Hank Brown’s commission on diversity is again calling for an audit of CU’s diversity programs.
Jessica Peck Corry of the Independence Institute also asked Brown in a letter Tuesday to denounce “race-focused” scholarships. In December, Brown announced a $1 million gift and a pledge to raise $7.5 million for scholarships for low-income students and students of color.
“Why does CU feel the need to continue trying to fit every student into a specific race box?” Peck Corry’s letter said. “Today’s students, coming from every socioeconomic background imaginable, deserve better.”
MONTROSE
Artist sues after paintings removed
A Montrose County artist contends her free-speech rights were infringed on when officials from the city of Delta removed two of her paintings from a public building because they contain biblical phrases. Sharon Marolf filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday asking the court to stop the city.
One painting depicts the artist’s granddaughter and includes a Bible verse saying that children are a heritage of the Lord. Another is a design of circles and squares and includes two references from the Bible about such shapes.
FORT CARSON
Heroes founder’s son sentenced for AWOL
The son of a Grand Junction woman who founded a support group for military families was sentenced Tuesday to six months’ confinement, a bad-conduct discharge and loss of rank for going absent without leave for seven months.
Pvt. David Howerton, 22, of Grand Junction pleaded guilty Tuesday to going AWOL last July.
His mother, Phyllis Derby, founded Homefront Heroes, a nonprofit group that supports families while their spouses are in Iraq and Afghanistan.
DENVER
Symphony hires associate conductor
Scott O’Neil, associate conductor of the Utah Symphony since 2000, has been named to the same position with the Colorado Symphony, the Denver orchestra announced Tuesday.
O’Neil, who signed a two-year contract, will begin his duties Sept. 1 and conduct his first concert Sept. 23.
