Newly elected Sheriff Tony Spurlock, ensures the public that his office has been working diligently to make sure all aspects of the Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn death investigation have been or are being reviewed and if the death was anything but an accident, that justice is served.
The purpose of today’s press release is to address recent media inquiries and anticipated inquiries related to the death investigation of Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn in 1995.
On October 12, 2012, DCSO re-opened the Death Investigation of Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn due in part to the extraordinary circumstances involving the death investigation of Harold Henthorn’s second wife. Over the past 27 months of the investigation, approximately 40 interviews have been conducted and additional information has been uncovered that was unknown and or unavailable at the time. DCSO detectives continue to work diligently on this case, meticulously going over the case file, evidence and new information related to this death investigation.
Because the overall investigation is ongoing, there are details that Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is not at liberty to discuss; rather, the purpose of this release is to disseminate what can be released at this time and to ensure the public that this case continues to develop and that we are working in coordination with federal agencies on this case.
In that vein, and with those limitations, these are the details that can be released:
- On 05/06/95, DCSO responded to a report of an injury accident on Highway 67, west of Sedalia.
- Upon arrival Harold Arthur Henthorn reported that they had been driving and pulled to the side of the road to tend to a flat tire and at some point, according to Harold, the vehicle jack gives way and the car crushes his wife, Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn.
- DCSO patrol, investigations and lab, along with EMS providers, responded to the scene.
- Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn was transported to a Denver Metro Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries; the DCSO opened a suspicious death investigation at that time.
- After a ruling that the death was an accident by the Douglas County Coroner, the case was closed and listed as an accidental death.
While the original investigation took place almost 20 years ago, this new information merited additional investigation. Sheriff Spurlock said: “It is hoped that this new information and a second look at this case will provide a clearer picture of what might have happened. We owe it to the family and friends of Sandra “Lynn” Henthorn.”
Sheriff Tony Spurlock went on to say: “This case is extremely complex and over the past 27 months our dedicated detectives have tirelessly re-examined this case and will continue until we have exhausted every aspect. In the past 20 years, investigations and investigative techniques, as well as technology have not only changed drastically, but have allowed many cases to be reopened.”
No arrests have been made at this time and this case continues to be an active and on-going investigation.
It is very possible there may be additional witnesses related to this case and we would encourage anyone with additional information to contact the Douglas County Sheriff Office at 303-660-7579.
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