In April, Aurora Police Department officers responded to a domestic-violence call involving Kotch Ouellette, 38. His girlfriend, 45-year-old Jennifer Sheppard, had been struck in the head during the altercation in question, but she refused medical treatment -- only to be found dead two days later. This week, the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office ruled that Sheppard's death came as a result of the earlier incident, and yesterday, Ouelette, who'd been arrested on the original domestic-violence beef, was taken back into custody and charged with second-degree murder.
Look at a graphic featuring the 4322 South Evanston Court address where the incident took place (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map") and read the official APD account below:
Aurora Police Department release:
DATE: June 5, 2009NATURE: 2nd Degree Homicide
CASE NUMBER: 2009.15871
On April 14, 2009, officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to 4322 South Evanston Court on report of a physical domestic. Kotch Ouellette, DOB: 05.17.1971 was arrested on Domestic Violence charges and transported to the Aurora City Jail.
His girlfriend, Jennifer Sheppard, DOB: 11.15.1963 told the responding officers that she hit her head during the altercation with her boyfriend, but she refused medical treatment.
Jennifer Sheppard was in contact with family members up until early evening hours on April 15th. On April 16, 2009, Ms. Sheppard was found deceased at 4322 South Evanston Court.
On June 3, 2009, the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office ruled that Jennifer Sheppard's death was a homicide resulting from blunt force trauma. The Coroner's Office believes she died of injuries incurred during the April 14th domestic assault.
Kotch Ouellette was arrested on June 4, 2009 in Westminster. He is being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Center on charges of 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, and Domestic Violence.