Colorado Man Cleared of Murder Charges After Evidence Reveals Girlfriend’s Suicide
A man from Colorado who spent over three weeks in jail on murder and other charges has been exonerated after new evidence emerged. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office discovered proof that his girlfriend, whom he was accused of strangling, had actually taken her own life by hanging.
Miles Kirby, a 29-year-old resident of the City of Fountain, reported to investigators on July 27 that he had discovered his girlfriend, Joslyn Teetzel, hanging from a beam in their backyard shed. However, he was accused of staging the scene and arrested. He faced several serious charges, including first-degree murder, tampering with human remains, and destroying evidence, according to court records.
Initially, investigators believed Teetzel’s death was suspicious due to the circumstances. But as more information came to light, the situation changed. Forensic evidence and additional investigative details indicated that Teetzel’s death was intentional and self-inflicted.
Kirby posted a $100,000 bond on August 18 and was instructed to avoid contact with the children he shared with Teetzel. A week later, after a forensic pathologist ruled Teetzel’s death as suicide by hanging, the case against Kirby was dropped.
The autopsy report revealed that initial findings had pointed towards homicide by strangulation. However, subsequent investigations, including video evidence of Teetzel entering the shed alone before her death, her medical history, and other indications of her mental state, concluded that her death was indeed a suicide.
Kirby’s lawyer, Daniel Kay, emphasized that if proper investigation had taken place before charging him with murder, it would have been apparent that Teetzel’s death was a tragic case of suicide. Video evidence and Teetzel’s personal history pointed to her intention to end her life.
The investigation also unveiled claims of abuse in the relationship, as Teetzel’s family alleged that Kirby had subjected her to mistreatment, which they believed might have contributed to her decision to take her own life.
As the case remains open, Fountain police declined to comment further on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
In a poignant moment, Teetzel’s 10-year-old daughter shared that Kirby had told her mother to “Go kill yourself, or I will do it for you.” This statement underscored the tumultuous nature of their relationship.
The case highlights the complexities of domestic violence and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice and prevent unjust accusations.