Arrest Made in Cold Case Homicide of Guitarist Zackary Smith

Accident – Death – Obituary News : DENVER — After an extensive investigation spanning over three years, the Denver Police Department announced on Friday that they have made an arrest in the cold case of the murder of local guitarist Zackary Smith. The suspect, identified as Patrick Lee Apostol, 45, was apprehended in connection with the homicide that occurred on September 10, 2020.

The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning when authorities responded to a report of shots fired in the area of E. 17th Avenue and Quince Street. Upon arrival, police discovered a crashed Subaru Crosstrek in the Quebec Street and Quince Street alley. The driver, later identified as Zackary Smith, had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Smith succumbed to his injuries later that evening. Smith, a talented guitarist, was a member of the local four-piece band Autonomix.

During the initial investigation, officers found a spent 9mm cartridge casing at the scene. In their pursuit of more evidence, police approached a nearby residence around 6:20 a.m. to inquire about any potential surveillance footage capturing the crash. It was at this moment that Patrick Lee Apostol answered the door. While it remains undisclosed whether Apostol provided any footage, it was revealed that the Ring video surveillance system was not operational. Further examination of the property’s separate surveillance camera revealed that certain videos had been intentionally deleted.

In a subsequent encounter with Apostol later that night, law enforcement noticed he was wearing a black robe that tested positive for gunshot residue. Apostol voluntarily visited the police department for an interview on September 21, 2020, although the details of the conversation have been redacted from the released document. On the same day, a judge granted a search warrant, leading to the discovery of firearms and accessories at Apostol’s residence, some of which were deemed illegal.

In March 2023, the reward for information regarding this case was increased to $20,000 by the Denver Police Department. The fall of that year saw a re-analysis of cell phone records belonging to Smith, Apostol, and an unidentified individual using updated technology. However, much of the information regarding this aspect of the investigation has been redacted.

Patrick Lee Apostol was taken into custody on Friday in Lakewood and is currently being held on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The Denver Police Department expressed gratitude to their dedicated homicide investigators and the community member whose tip led to Apostol’s arrest.

In conclusion, the arrest of Patrick Lee Apostol in connection with the murder of guitarist Zackary Smith brings hope for closure to the Denver community. The tireless efforts of the Denver Police Department’s investigators, combined with the assistance of a vigilant community member, have played a crucial role in solving this cold case. As the case progresses, authorities will continue their pursuit of justice, ensuring that Smith’s legacy lives on and that those responsible for this heinous crime are held accountable.

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