One of the lesser-known crimes that has occurred in Colorado's past is linked to a man who is accused of committing not just one murder, but potentially two murders, and there are additional deaths linked to these that have raised suspicions over the years.

Read More: Take a Trip Back in Time to Colorado’s Original Elitch Gardens

These alleged crimes are especially controversial due to the surprisingly light sentence that the man received after being convicted and sentenced for one of the aforementioned murders.

Colorado Crime: John Abercrombie Jr.'s First Alleged Murder

On August 16, 1974, a 19-year-old woman named Paula Rowe was working at Elitch Gardens, a popular Colorado amusement park, when she was shot three times and killed while on the job at roughly 9:30 p.m.

95 Rock logo
Get our free mobile app

Rowe was subsequently taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries about an hour and a half later.

Colorado Crime: John Abercrombie Jr.'s Second Alleged Murder

In 1984, an armed robbery gone wrong took place at a convenience store in Arvada, Colorado, leaving a clerk dead at the hands of the robber.

The thief was later identified as John Abercrombie Jr., who was originally sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime, but the case was later thrown out of court during an appellate session after issues with his lawyer were brought up.

Did Colorado's John Abercrombie Jr. Commit Other Murders?

After his 1984 alleged murder case was thrown out of court, John Abercrombie Jr. confessed to the 1974 murder of Paula Rowe and was sentenced to a year in prison in 1992.

It should also be noted that two of the star witnesses in his 1984 trial also mysteriously and suspiciously passed away.

 

Take a Trip Back in Time to Colorado’s Original Elitch Gardens

Before 1995, Colorado’s biggest theme park Elitch Gardens was at a different location.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

Enjoy a Day Trip at Denver Colorado’s Elitch Gardens Theme Park

Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado is a great place to have a lot of fun on a day trip.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

Colorado's Amusement + Water Parks Your Entire Family Will Enjoy

Take a look at all of the amusement and water parks in Colorado that your entire family will enjoy.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

More From 95 Rock