Prosecutors have filed a first-degree murder charge against the Arvada man in front of her children at a Clear Creek County campsite.
John Vasquez, 32, was initially accused of attempted murder in the case before Christina Archuleta of her injuries. The new charges were filed July 27, prosecutors say.
“The penalty for first-degree murder is life without the possibility of parole,” Bruce Brown, 5th Judicial District Attorney, said in a statement. “The charges reflect that the incident was a premeditated act. We mourn the passing of this mother of three who meant so much to her family and friends.”
On June 17, Clear Creek County dispatched first responders to a campsite outside Idaho Springs in the Arapahoe National Forest near Idaho Springs on a call of a woman who was severely burned.
According to an arrest affidavit, Vasquez and Archuleta had argued the night before. A boy who was camping with the couple allegedly saw Vasquez throw gasoline on his mother’s shoulder, light the gasoline with a blue lighter and laugh as her clothes ignited.
Aruchuleta suffered third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body, mostly on her torso.
Sheriff’s deputies say they found burned clothes, a seven-gallon container of gasoline, beer bottles and a bottle of Fireball whisky at the campsite. The gasoline container was only half full and was missing the pour spout. Authorities also found two lighters in Vaquez’ pockets, including a blue one.
