Twenty Denver homicides in first half of 2012: See where they happened

As our Melanie Asmar reported earlier this week, gang murders are up in Denver. However, overall homicides in the first half of 2012 are down compared to the same point in 2011 according to figures compiled by the Denver coroner's office: twenty versus 24 through June of last year. Look...

By Michael Roberts

July 11, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

As our Melanie Asmar reported earlier this week, gang murders are up in Denver. However, overall homicides in the first half of 2012 are down compared to the same point in 2011 according to figures compiled by the Denver coroner's office: twenty versus 24 through June of last year. Look below to see interactive graphics of the areas near the scenes of the crimes, be they high-profile, like the June slaying of police officer Celena Hollis, or little known.

Also included are the corner's office descriptions of the victims, as well as the time, location and cause of death. If you have problems seeing the images, click "View Larger Map" -- and do likewise on highlighted names to read our original coverage.

View Larger Map

Pete Cisneros Jr.

Male, Hispanic, 21

2:13 p.m. January 8, 2012

1465 Winona Court #1

Probable seizure due to closed head injury

View Larger Map

Michael Williams

Male, black, 45

2:37 a.m. February 9, 2012

3469 West 9th Avenue

Multiple gunshot wounds

View Larger Map

Serril Allen

Male, black, nineteen

9:37 p.m. February 14, 2012

Near 5434 East 36th Avenue

Gunshot wound of the chest

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012. Justin Martinez

Male, Hispanic, 24

12:22 p.m. February 16, 2012

No location listed

Pending for toxicology and histology

View Larger Map

George deCurnou

Male, white, 56

1331 Niagara Street

7:34 a.m. March 9, 2012

Complications of penetrating neck injury and blunt trauma to head

View Larger Map

Leroy Wright

Male, black, 55

5:10 p.m. March 10, 2012

2101 Franklin Street

Gunshot wound of the torso

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012.

View Larger Map

Billy Newson

Male, black, 29

Colfax and Pearl Street

3:10 a.m. March 18, 2012

Gunshot wound of the head

View Larger Map

De'Quan Walker-Smith

Male, black, eighteen

3:05 p.m. March 19, 2012

East 29th Avenue and Franklin Street

Gunshot wound of the chest

View Larger Map

Isaiah Garcia

Male, Hispanic, eighteen

No location listed, but crime reportedly took place on the 1300 block of Knox Court

Gunshot wound to the neck

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012.
View Larger Map

Jonathan Frost

Male, white, 42

8:10 a.m. March 30, 2012

5095 East Donald Avenue

Probable seizure due to traumatic brain injury

View Larger Map

Male, black, 25

5 a.m. April 1, 2012

29th and Sheridan Boulevard, Denver

Gunshot wound to the back

View Larger Map

Toby Morine

Male, Hispanic, seven

4:30 p.m. April 3, 2012

139 South Bryant Street, Denver

Shotgun wound of the chest

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012.
View Larger Map

Pablo Del Rio Jr.

Male, Hispanic, 22

9:48 p.m. April 16, 2012

5125 Chambers Road, Denver

Gunshot wound to the back

View Larger Map

Bertha Rios Lopez

Female, Hispanic, 43

7:51 a.m. April 28, 2012

327 South Bryant Street

Multiple stab wounds

View Larger Map

James Dishmon

Male, black, 24

12:50 a.m. May 9, 2012

13390 East 55th Avenue, Denver

Gunshot wound to the thorax

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012.
View Larger Map

Justin O'Donnell

Male, black, 21

2:15 p.m. May 25, 2012

2200 block of Bruce Randolph Avenue, Denver

Gunshot wounds (two) of the back

View Larger Map

Male, black, thirty

2:15 p.m. May 25, 2012

2232 Bruce Randolph Avenue, Denver

Multiple gunshot wounds

View Larger Map

Richard Nack

Male, white, 59

7:19 a.m. May 26, 2012

5015 West Alaska Place, Denver

Gunshot wound to the head

Page down to continue reading our post about Denver homicides in the first half of 2012.
View Larger Map

Juan Hernandez-Soto

Male, Hispanic, 27

6:19 a.m. June 16, 2012

1065 South Quivas Street

Multiple gunshot wounds

View Larger Map

Celena Hollis

Female, black, 32

8:35 p.m. June 24, 2012

1700 block of York Street

Gunshot wound of the head

More from our Mile High Murder archive: "Top 19 most wanted Denver murder suspects."

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo