7th suspect taken into custody in connection to murder of 2 Colorado Springs teens

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. – Deputies have nabbed a seventh person and are still looking for two other suspects in connection with the murder of two teenagers found dead south of Fountain earlier this month.

Angelita Prado, 21, was taken into custody Wednesday and will be booked into the Criminal Justice Center on kidnapping charges in relation to the murders of Derek Greer, 15, and Natalie Partida, 16, both of Colorado Springs.

Prado’s detainment comes a day after El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they were looking for Carlos Daniel Meza, who also goes by “Tink,” on weapons charges, as well as for Endo Velardo, 17, also known as “Sleeply,” on felony charges relating to the two teens’ murders.

Velarde is a Hispanic man described as 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Meza is described as a Hispanic man who is 5-foot-9 and approximately 140 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. 

Gustavo Antonio Marquez, 19, was arrested March 19 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of child abuse resulting in death in the case. 

And last Saturday, the sheriff’s office arrested four others on various charges relating to the teens’ deaths, including murder, kidnapping, robbery and child abuse. On Tuesday, another man was arrested in connection to the murder, bringing the total number of arrests so far to seven, with Velarde and Meza still outstanding.

Sheriff’s Office deputies said Meza and Velarde are both known previous offenders and that anyone who sees them should call 911 and not approach either.

The teens were found dead the morning of March 12 along the side of Old Pueblo Road, about three-quarters of a mile south of Hanover Road. Investigators have not said how the teens were killed.

Anyone with information on this case should call the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 390-5555.