After co-workers held a memorial Wednesday afternoon for Kelly Burgess, the Loveland woman allegedly shot in the head by her husband, members of her family said they think her death was the result of domestic violence.
“We know it wasn’t an accident,” said Robin Roberts, Kelly’s cousin, who flew in for the memorial with family members from Kemmerer, Wyo., where Kelly grew up.
“The coroner has verified that it was a contact wound to her left temple,” Roberts said.
According to the arrest affidavit, Burgess told authorities that he and his wife had been in the garage talking about hunting and shooting and that both reached for her rifle at the same time, and it went off.
He has been charged with felony manslaughter, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and prohibited use of a weapon.
Burgess was eight weeks pregnant when she died on Oct. 6. She and her husband had been married three years, and were the parents of one son, Christopher, 3.
The memorial was held at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center in Lakewood, where Burgess had worked for two years as a program manager.
About 100 people filled the room, including the clients she served.
A photo montage included images of Burgess as a young girl in a cowboy hat riding a horse and then blossoming into a young woman with a vibrant smile.
Videotaped interviews, which included comments from those she had helped, had people wiping their eyes and passing along boxes of tissues.
One of her clients, Pam Wayts, collected $190, which she gave to Burgess’ mother, Wyoming state Rep. Kathy Davison. The money will go to Christopher’s trust fund.
“She talked about you all the time,” Davison told the crowd. “She loved you so much.”
A brick inscribed with Burgess’ name and “Always in Our Hearts,” will be placed outside in the center’s memorial garden.
“There is hurt, uncertainty, anger and so many emotions,” said Nathan Anderson during his closing prayer. “But love brought us here today, and it fills the room.”
He discussed the confusion that many of them felt, wondering how such a tragedy could happen, but focused on the message of Kelly Burgess’ life.
“We should seek always to pass on the joy she shared with each one of us, and pass it on to others.”
Colleen O’Connor: 303-954-1083 or coconnor@denverpost.com
