Coal Creek Canyon home where 3 were found slain "specifically targeted," investigators say

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. – A Coal Creek Canyon home where three people were found slain is believed to have been specifically targeted, Boulder County Sheriff's Office investigators said Sunday. 

Investigators confirmed Saturday evening that the bodies of two men and one woman were discovered inside a home on Divide View Drive in Coal Creek Canyon in Boulder County earlier in the day.

They're treating the suspicious deaths as a triple homicide.

“There is evidence of trauma,” said Boulder County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Mike Wagner. "To what extent, we don't know.  It's going to be a very slow, methodical crime scene."

Wagner told Denver7 that a man called dispatch at around 7:30 a.m. and requested a welfare check, because he hadn’t heard from his friends for several days and was concerned.

Responding deputies initially found two bodies inside the home and evidence of drug activity. They exited the house and called for investigators and a hazmat crew.

Investigators are still waiting for hazmat crews to finish work in this house, so they can go in & count bodies. pic.twitter.com/G16IJ3Z0Nf

— Lance Hernandez (@lancehernandez7) April 16, 2017

After requesting search warrants, the hazmat crew spend a good portion of the day checking the house for chemicals and hazardous materials, but found none.

That's when investigators finally entered the house and were able to determine that there was an additional victim.

BCSO says 3 bodies were found in this house. It appears to be a triple homicide. pic.twitter.com/lNHzzhHsQe

— Lance Hernandez (@lancehernandez7) April 16, 2017

Neighbors were surprised to see all the police activity.

"When I saw the address, I sent my son over to find out if it was my friends," one neighbor said. "It was." 

That neighbor said she's known the occupants of the house for seven years.

"They're great people," she said.

Wagner said the Boulder County Coroner will identify the victims and determine the manner and cause of death.

When asked if there was any reason for neighbors to worry about safety, Wagner replied, "At this point, we have no information to suggest that this is something to worry about, but again, it's very early in the investigation and we don't have much more to go on, at this point."

The Commander said detectives would work through the night to process the scene and deal with the victims. He said investigators will methodically comb through the residence and surrounding property on Sunday.