SILVERTHORNE, Colo.—Relatives of a woman whose body was found in the Blue River said Thursday they are relieved a grand jury has indicted a suspect.
The brother of Stephanie Roller Bruner said the family was sad, however, that the suspect is the woman’s husband of 11 years.
Their three young “children are about to experience yet another ‘worse day of their lives,’ but because the police have been thorough and the (district attorney) has been patient we can tell the children with confidence that their dad is being treated fairly,” Aaron Roller said.
Dale Bruner, of Silverthorne, faces charges of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and three counts of tampering with evidence in the death. Summit County jail officials said he posted bond Thursday.
His attorney, Rob Bernhardt, said a gag order prevented him from commenting.
Stephanie Roller Bruner, 41, was a Summit County government employee and dance instructor. She was issued a temporary restraining order against her husband, a photographer, in October. It was revoked a few weeks later at the request of both, and Roller Bruner filed for divorce on Nov. 1.
Bruner reported his wife missing on Nov. 23, three days before her body was found in the Blue River. Authorities said she died of a combination of hypothermia, drowning, beating and strangulation.
A grand jury indictment alleged Bruner hit and strangled his wife, then left her alive and unconscious in the river, the Summit Daily News () reported. The indictment alleged Bruner “destroyed, mutilated, removed, concealed or altered” her computer and cell phone.
The Bruners’ three children, all of elementary-school age, live with Aaron Roller and his wife in California.
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Information from: Summit Daily News,
