JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – Deputies in Jefferson County said Friday a vehicle they suspected was involved in a young woman's death after a large rock was thrown at her car Wednesday night — which they say is part of similar attacks that have occurred over the past day across the Denver metro — was not, in fact, involved in the crime spree.
Alexa Bartell, 20, of Arvada, was driving northbound on Indiana Street in Jefferson County at approximately 10:45 p.m. when the suspect, possibly from a vehicle or the side of the road, threw a large rock at her car, fatally striking the young woman, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Bartell was on her phone talking to a friend when the phone went silent. That friend then tracked her phone and drove to the location on Indiana Street. She found her dead inside her car, which was off the roadway in the field, deputies said in a news release.
“This appears to be part of an overnight crime series involving a light-colored pickup truck or SUV,” deputies initially said, adding they believe there could be more victims.
Shortly before 3:30 p.m. Thursday, nearly two hours after deputies released images of the vehicle they believed was connected to the case, JCSO officials said they had found the truck and identified the owner.
In a 9:52 p.m. tweet, however, the sheriff's office said the "truck of interest" and owner were not involved in the series of crimes that have taken place in several cities across the metro.
On Friday, the sheriff's office asked owners of Tesla vehicles in Jefferson County to contact them. More information in the tweet below.
#Tesla owners in #Jeffco - We need your help! Bc your cars constantly records activity while driving, pls check your system for footage that may be evidence of the #rockthrowing crime spree and death of Alexa Bartell. Details: https://t.co/pkyRfZ57Xt
— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) April 21, 2023
MAP https://t.co/jqNqFKQBt9 pic.twitter.com/ANsUoQksAX
The suspect, believed to be responsible for other attacks across the metro remains at-large. Those attacks include:
- 10:04 p.m. on April 19 – Westminster - 100th Ave. & Simms St. – rock through windshield – driver not injured
- 10:26 p.m. on April 19 - Arvada - Hwy 93 at Hwy 72 – rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver
- 10:30 p.m. on April 19 – Boulder County - McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver
- 10:31 p.m. on April 19 – Boulder County – McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) - rock vs.Toyota 4-Runner – body damage to vehicle, driver not injured
- 10:45 p.m. – Jefferson County – 10600 block of Indiana St. – rock through windshield of yellow Chevy Spark – homicide
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Arvda and Westminster Police Departments to gather more information about these series of attacks.
If you were in any of these areas and witnessed anything related to the suspect vehicle or the suspects who may have been inside, call the JCSO tip line at 303-271-5612.
“No piece of information is insignificant,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. If you have home security or dash cameras that may have caught the vehicle driving by, deputies want to hear from you.
Alexa Bartell Memorial Fund
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a memorial/justice fund. According to the statement, all proceeds will go to the family to assist with future legal expenses, create an endowment fund for student-athlete opportunities and create a permanent memorial in Bartell's honor.
Donations can be made directly to the Alexa Bartell Memorial Fund at FirstBank. The family is also accepting donations via Zelle at alexabartellmemorial@gmail.com as well as via Venmo at @Alexa-Bartell-4. Donors can also use the QR code below to donate.
