Tragic End to Night Out: James Montoya’s Mysterious Disappearance Unraveled
In the early hours of April 2, James Montoya left his cherished billiards spot in Denver with a stranger, sparking concern among his loved ones. Nearly four months later, on July 26, the mystery surrounding his disappearance came to a grim conclusion.
Montoya, a 26-year-old who had been enjoying a game of pool at Hangar 101 Bar and Grill, found himself in the company of Jesus Angel Arvizo, 33, and Amber Dominguez, 30, individuals he had met that very night, according to the police.
During a press conference held last Tuesday, investigators revealed their belief that an argument in Arvizo’s car escalated to a tragic end, with Arvizo allegedly shooting Montoya and then disposing of his body in Saguache County.
A first-degree murder warrant has been issued for Arvizo’s arrest by the Denver Police, while Dominguez, believed to have been in the car during the altercation, has been taken into custody and charged as an accessory in the crime by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Montoya’s grieving mother, Corinna Montoya, expressed her bewilderment at the senseless act, questioning the motive behind her son’s shooting. She told Fox News Digital, “What kind of argument would make someone want to shoot my son?”
The search for Arvizo is currently underway, although he is believed to be in Alamosa County, despite his Denver address.
Even before the police announced Arvizo’s involvement in Montoya’s case and before Montoya’s body was found, Corinna sensed something was amiss. She recounted her unease regarding Arvizo, the night her son disappeared.
When Montoya’s girlfriend woke up on that fateful morning to discover he had not returned home, she raised the alarm. The concerned girlfriend contacted Montoya’s sister, who in turn reached out to the worried parents, Corinna and Eddie Montoya.
Corinna mentioned that her son had posted a Snapchat message around 2:30 a.m. from the Lakewood bar, which was just minutes from their home, and was his favorite spot to play pool.
The owner of Hangar 101, where the group spent time together, noted that the interactions among Montoya, Dominguez, and Arvizo seemed friendly and non-confrontational during their three-hour stay at the bar.
Nevertheless, the tragic outcome could not have been anticipated. The owner shared that Montoya was a regular at the establishment and that he knew him quite well, describing it as his favorite place to be. Making a poor decision on that one night, he added, should not have led to such a devastating result.
Corinna and her husband eventually located Arvizo’s home address, but their knocks went unanswered. It was then they decided to report Montoya as missing.
Upon their initial contact with Arvizo, the conversation took an unsettling turn. Corinna indicated that Arvizo’s behavior was suspicious, and it became apparent that he was concealing information.
Arvizo was confronted with strong accusations, but he maintained his innocence. The conversation abruptly ended, leaving Montoya’s family with a growing sense of dread.
For several months, Montoya’s girlfriend and family conducted an exhaustive search across highways, byways, dumpsters, and back roads to find him. In July, they received a text from Montoya’s girlfriend, informing them of a discovery in Saguache County – a lifeless body that closely matched Montoya’s description.
Following a press conference with Denver Police to announce the search for Arvizo, Corinna expressed her hope that he would come forward or be turned in by someone. She emphasized the danger Arvizo posed to the community, given the circumstances surrounding Montoya’s disappearance and the efforts taken to hide his body.
The Denver Police Department confirmed Arvizo’s history of multiple weapons-related arrests. Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.