During the trial, investigators had revealed troubling information about Schellings possible whereabouts. We know that that's his phone. Torres said texts showed Schelling eventually agreed to come to Pueblo. The young woman had driven down to Pueblo on February 4, 2013, to meet with her boyfriend, Donthe Lucas, after sharing the news of her pregnancy, never to be seen or heard from again. Dateline's new documentary series "The Last Day" premiered this week with an episode about the killing of 20-year-old Iowan Mollie Tibbetts. But Tate said they would never perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman and said even if Schelling did have HPV, its a common diagnosis about 15 percent of women have HPV at any given time. The prosecution asked Binet if Lucas had told Sinnema in their Feb. 9 conversation about Schelling calling him from the private number that same day. Lucas said hed informed Schelling during their visit that he did not want to be in a relationship with her. And even though investigators were unable to locate her body or a crime scene, by late 2017, they had managed to gather enough evidence to charge Donthe for her murder. Missing in America: Kelsie Schelling - NBC News Follow below: 4 p.m.: In a bombshell revelation, prosecutors called a former Pueblo County Jail inmate who claims that Donthe Lucas said investigators would never find Kelsie Schelling's body. In cross-examination, Lucas attorneys sought to discredit Walkers testimony by pointing out she has testified for prosecutorial bodies about trends in domestic violence more than 75 times in the past, and only testified on behalf of the defense in one prior case. From the. Prosecutors told jurors, "This is not a missing persons case it is a homicide case," before saying that they are certain they'll be able to prove she was killed. 17 Jan 2023 Amber: The Girl Behind the Alert (2023 film) . Strangely enough, around the same time, the family of another missing woman 1,200 miles away in Portsmouth, Ohio, had been receiving similar messages. In 2011, when Kelsie Schelling enrolled in Northeastern Junior College, she met and began dating Donthe Isiah Lucas. Though Lucas has been sentenced to life behind bars for her murder, the exact location of Schellings remains have not been revealed and Saxton still hasnt been able to lay her to rest. . She said she received text messages, but they were curt and short, which was unlike Kelsie. Though it might have taken four years for Donthe Lucas to be arrested and charged for the murder of Kelsie Schelling in December 2017, there were a number of observations made by those who knew the couple that raised a few flags. During the holiday season in 2012, Schelling surprised her family with news that she was pregnant. By taking this avowal seriously, Adrian Johnston nally claries the philosophical project underlying iek's eorts. Before 6 p.m., Torres said Schelling texted Lucas, Then step up and make a relationship with me work. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She was like, Stop calling me. In a motion filed by Lucas, he claims the victim's father had a history of violence toward Kelsie and killed . She did say that he called once from jail, but they ultimately never spoke again. Ive been here over an hour just waiting., Schelling didnt show up to work on Feb. 5, and a worried co-worker tried calling her. Her last confirmed text message was sent to Lucas at 11:18 p.m. A case 8 years in the making: The team that solved Kelsie Schelling's Dont text me. Schelling's family has set up a website called HelpFindKelsie.com and are reportedly offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest. I called Doug, her dad We all drove up to Denver that day, went into the apartment. Geo resource failed to load. Oh my god, Torres said Sara Lucas replied. Eric Bravo took over the case with the help of Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agent Kevin Torres. No one.. You dont have to have a happy little family with me. The defense argued it was a missing persons case. What if she is still out there somewhere? Saxton said. Donthe Lucas' mother and grandmother take the stand | KRDO Criminal defense attorney Danielle Iredale joins host Ana Garcia. Police found Schelling's car in a Walmart parking lot in Pueblo a few days after she was reported missing. Authorities reviewed that admission, along with text message records, surveillance video and 60,000 pages of investigative material to determine whether there was enough evidence to prosecute Lucas. Daily Briefing The 21-year-old from Colorado had already announced to family and friends that she was expecting, and she and her parents had even begun picking out baby names. In closing arguments, lead prosecutor Michelle Chostner ensured the jury had a clear understanding of the time Kelsies killer had to get rid of evidence or to clean things up. Thankfully I had a great team. While this text was being sent, Torres said Schellings phone was pinging off of a cell tower within the area of Canon National Bank, where Donthe Lucas was seen on camera withdrawing $400 from Schellings bank account while driving her 2011 Chevy Cruze. Suhr said she always knew what she was doing, trying to gather information about Schelling, and never fell in love with Lucas. Eight years after his girlfriend went missing, a Colorado man has been convicted of first-degree murder in her death. Donthe Lucas in court for Kelsie Schelling's murder. The search for Tibbetts and the . Her phone, according to Torres and Eicher, was also never recorded as having left Pueblo. (Schelling's family denies claims that she ever engaged in the use of illegal substances, per ABC News). March 8, 2021 / 11:59 PM KOAA News5 on your time, streaming on your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and AndroidTV. Binet also said Lucas did not at any point tell him hed dropped Schellings vehicle off at St. Mary-Corwin, nor did he mention that he had used Schellings debit card to withdraw money from her account. By May 2018, a judge said prosecutors had proved probable cause. He said theyd spoken early that morning when Schelling arrived in Pueblo and their interactions continued through the following morning. Feb. 4, 2013, was the last time Schelling was seen. Body parts found in suitcases, luggage tags lead to suspected killer The 21-year-old from Colorado had already announced to family and friends that she was expecting, and she and her parents had even begun picking out baby names. XLSX www.oupjapan.co.jp Schellings family offered $50,000 for information about her disappearance and set up a Facebook page called Help Find Kelsie.. She said they dated for a year when, on his porch, he started hyperventilating and crying. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Donthe Lucas was found guilty of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend Kelsie Schelling in 2013. @KOAA. Per Fox 21 News,Lucas purportedly had a strong reaction when he saw Schelling's neighbors hanging up missing flyers, and according to testimony at his trial, went as far as to harass the family of a middle-schooler who had helped aid in distributing them. In a separate incident reported in 2017, a man claimed that Lucas, aided by family members, attacked him over $1000 he claimed Lucas' family stole, perABC News. Asked if he believed Schelling orchestrated her own disappearance, Binet said, No. Attorney Becky Briggs, part of Lucas defense team, grilled Tateabout Schellings medical history and asked Tateabout what was referred to by a medical assistant as a worrisome Pap smear at Schellings appointment. Goodnight., Torres said Lucas replied, Oh I know all of that … thanks for stating it for me.. She definitely had that phone with her, Lucas said. Sara Lucas says she only met her son's girlfriend. Torres, continuing his testimony from Friday, began the fourth day of the trial by detailing alleged text exchanges between Lucas and Schelling on the night of Feb. 3 and the day of her disappearance Feb. 4, breaking them down minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour as the conversation unfolded. At 1:34 p.m., Lucas sends another text saying, sorry again about the loss, telling Schelling he will soon be going up to Denver to drop off her car. When Suhr was back on the witness stand Wednesday, she said Lucas proposed to her, who took the ring, but said she would have to think about it. D. Reaction to proposed dangerous dog ordinance, Assault weapons ban introduced in Colorado legislature, Commercial fire on South Academy Boulevard, Pueblo man sentenced to 11 years for armed robbery, Challenge course open at Lake Minnequa Park, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, Infants death linked to contaminated breast pump,, CAT scan: Pet goes through X-ray machine at Virginia, Man suffers life-threatening injuries in Pueblo shooting, Deputy identified in deputy-involved shooting, CMZoo needs your help winning national award, Hidden Gem: Ice wall near Colorado Springs. Her. Although some initially believed it seemed suspicious that Martinez died just before her testimony, investigators determined the shooting was completely unrelated to the trial. Prosecutors told jurors that Lucas was trying to get Schelling to Pueblo and sent her a text message saying he had a surprise for her. Their argument continued through texts beyond 4 a.m. MORE:Lucas trial day 1: Former inmate testifies Lucas admitted guilt to the murder, Later that morning, Torres read texts from Schelling to Lucas that said, Im sorry for hanging up on you over and over. Murder of Kelsey Smith - Wikipedia Our Colette Bordelon will be there every day and will have coverage both online and over the air. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) -Donthe Lucas was found guilty of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend Kelsie Schelling in 2013. Sinnema said he spoke to Lucas that evening and Lucas told him Schelling had come to see him in the early morning hours of Feb. 5. Then, Suhr said something unexpected happened with Lucas: her undercover relationship with him blossomed into romance. Then, he proposed to her. Moreover, only a day earlier in Denver, Schelling's doctor had told her that the baby was healthy. According to News5's Colette Bordelon, Suhr would not categorize herself as a "sex informant," which she was called by the defense. Kelsie Schelling case details texts with Donthe Lucas upon disappearance Morning Forecast As freshmen, while she was a psychology student, he was an athlete who dreamed of being a professional basketball player. It made me sick. Schelling disappeared almost six years ago when she was heading to see Lucas in Pueblo. Lucas appears to have asked Schelling to come down to Pueblo after she got off work the evening of Feb. 3, and expresses disappointment she will not drive down. Suhr said during her testimony that Lucas characterized Schelling as a "best friend" because she basically paid for everything. The Parkview Medical Center, however, did not have any record of Schellings supposed visit. Disturbing Details About Kelsie Schelling's Partner And Murderer, Donthe Lucas. Saxton called Lucas, asking if he knew anything about her daughters disappearance. You couldn't see what kind of vehicle, you couldn't tell who was in the car, Pueblo police Capt. How to Build a State? PUEBLO, Colo. (KDVR) After numerous delays in the trial of the man accused of killing Kelsie Schelling in 2013, Donthe Lucas was found guilty by a jury in in a Pueblo courtroom. Lucas Defense: This is a reach the biggest reach in Pueblos history.. Binet asked Lucas if there was any chance Schelling might have left her phone with him. She said she first reached out to him on Facebook and they exchanged numbers. They began to suspect the text messages werent coming from Schelling at all. Eighteen hours later, an unknown man is seen getting in the car and driving away. SearchWorks catalog The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Yet, in November 2017, he confessed to being the one who had abandoned her vehicle at the St. Mary-Corwin hospital, where it was eventually found. She was reportedly on her way from Denver to Pueblo to discuss the pregnancy with Lucas. Saxton rallied the Pueblo community and led her own searches for her missing daughter around the city. But soon, Kelsie started confiding in her friends that her boyfriend was physically abusive and exhibited other toxic behavioral traits. The person sending the messages says I know where Megan is. March 3 Fugitive Finder: Pueblos most wanted, Increase in Shigella cases, drug-resistant infections, Remembrance ceremony for Divide woman missing since, Disneyland fan sets record for most consecutive, Biden had cancerous lesion removed, no further treatment, Brothers convicted of killing groom hours after wedding, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But tragically, Kelsie Schelling went missing soon after she revealed her pregnancy to her partner, Donthe Lucas. Schelling tells Lucas at 11:21 a.m. that shes finished her appointment. Feb. 4, 2013, was the last time Schelling was seen. Schelling was reportedly traveling from Denver to Pueblo to talk to Lucas about the pregnancy. In addition to this, Schelling's phone records indicated a call was made from her cell to a woman who Schelling reportedly didn't know, and whom Lucas was romantically involved with even though Lucas could not explain the call. Pueblo Police Capt. Then, prosecutors played Lucas interrogation tape for the jury. OK. You probably wouldnt believe me if I told you anyway so you can see for yourself.. It was the most emotional moment in the courtroom today by far, watching a mother look at these remnants of her daughter. When police questioned Lucas, he told them that the morning after they met, he took Schelling to the Parkview Medical Center and hinted she had a miscarriage there. Su gemela permanece en grave estado, Ahora puedes vivir en un crucero por US$ 30.000 por ao. The jury found Lucas guilty of first-degree murder in a verdict that was delivered just after 4 p.m. Monday. Then, in December 2020, the murder trial was set to start on Jan. 25, 2021. Still A Mystery. In the texts, Lucas implies Schelling had asked him to come to her OBGYN appointment the following day the day of her disappearance saying he wanted to go with her and noting it seemed like Schelling wanted him to go. During the hearings, while the defense called upon no witnesses, the prosecutors invited Kelsies friends, family members, investigators, along with other experts to take the stands and highlight how Donthe could have slain Kelsie. The court then heard from Denver Police Department officer Chad Sinnema, who gathered the initial information for the missing persons report filed by Schellings family Feb. 9. At this point, News5's Colette Bordelon said the prosecution admitted a picture taken of the dash of the car through Saxton. 1 In February 2013, Kelsie Schelling was very happy to find out she was eight weeks pregnant, according to ABC News. However, even when the two moved away to pursue their respective careers, they continued dating up until the moment Kelsie disappeared. Once the money was exchanged, then this courier person would go and get Kelsie and bring her back to the McDonalds, Saxton said of the instructions she received. Though Schellings family got the verdict they wanted, they were still unable to bring her home for a proper burial. Though Lucas denied his involvement in anything to do with Schelling in what eventually became a criminal case, things took a turn in 2017 after local authorities brought him in for questioning, per The Pueblo Chieftain. She'd driven down from Denver to Pueblo to meet her boyfriend Donthe Lucas, who had. The white stain in #Schelling's car was negative for saliva. Kelsie's mother Laura Saxton can barely hold back the tears. KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. After years of waiting for him to go on trial for her disappearance, the disturbing details about Schelling's relationship with Lucas were finally revealed more than eight years later during a Colorado court trial in 2021, with Lucas charged with her murder. After a few weeks, they met in person. Lucas and Schelling seem to allude to a trip Lucas was planning on taking that day, seemingly to Kansas, on which he asked Schelling to accompany him. He said, I heard from Kelsie. The website gives the following. Pregnant Colo. Woman Vanished in 2013; Boyfriend Convicted of Murder Over the course of the following weeks, she became close with Lucas and had the opportunity to speak with him about Schellings disappearance. We also spoke to Martinez's cousin exclusively. After Sinnema, the missing persons case was referred to Ted Binet, a DPD detective with the missing and exploited persons unit. Ryan Rivera, a former Pueblo County Jail inmate and a friend of Lucas, also testified. Walker said domestic violence, broadly speaking, addresses patterns of coercive control where one person in a relationship maintains power over the other. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Kelsie Schelling went missing in Pueblo, Colorado back in February 2013 after she went to tell her boyfriend Donthe Lucas that she was pregnant Schelling's body has never been found but she. Therefore, after many delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he stood trial for the same in early 2021. 0:00. 21-year-old Kelsie Schelling was two months pregnant when she drove from Denver to Pueblo to see her former boyfriend Donthe Lucas. She said she told her she loved her. She regularly made the 220-mile drive from her home in rural Yuma, Colorado, to Pueblo. Saxtons hope was for answers. But it soon became clear that Schelling had disappeared without a trace and no one knew where she was. In cross examination, Tameler asked Binet if, in his time with the missing and exploited persons unit, hed encountered people who intentionally disappeared to get away from their lives, and if such people tend to make sure they dont leave indicators to where they might be going. The homicide trial of Donthe Lucas, accused of first-degree murder in the 2013 disappearance of his pregnant girlfriend, Kelsie Schelling, resumed Monday with the testimony of Colorado Bureau. The. On February 4, 2013, Schelling went to a local Walmart in the town of Pueblo, Colorado, where she planned to meet up with Lucas and tell him about her new pregnancy but according to interview footage taken in 2017, Lucas told investigators that the night had taken a different turn (via Fox 21 News). Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. We received the information from the Pueblo landfill that there was some video evidence of a vehicle being there. 'The Last Day,' Dateline's new documentary series, premieres with Schelling left work shortly after 8:40 p.m. and drove two hours to see Lucas in Pueblo. In the back of my mind, I always kept that he is potentially a murderer.. On Feb. 4, 2013, Saxton said she called Kelsie's phone several times but didn't get an answer. Though Lucas had also previously denied having Schelling's cell phone, a comparison of his own cell phone records to hers later helped police uncover video evidence at a landfill that matched Lucas' general location at the time, per ABC News. She wanted that baby. I'm really grateful to know that we know the answer, Saxton said. JDK-8141210 : Very slow loading of JavaScript file with recent JDK After their talk, he said, he believed Schelling left town. Torres said Lucas never took the car to Denver. Its getting harder to come back, I dread the trips but I know I have to do it, she said. He also told Suhr that a man he did not know picked Schelling up the last time he saw her. Disturbing Details About Kelsie Schelling's Partner And Murderer - MSN Rivera said that Lucas once told him while they were about to play a game of cards that investigators would never find Schelling's body. Walker was called as a blind expert, meaning she was not familiar with the details of the Lucas case but spoke to general trends in domestic violence cases.