Update: Earlier this week, we told you about the arrest of Shawn Geerdes in the murder of Jason Dosa, who was found shot to death inside a burning car in Jefferson County; see our previous coverage below.
Now, Dosa's family has come forward to share their grief over his loss.
Family members staged a press conference at which they shared the following prepared statement:As noted by CBS4, Geerdes's criminal history stretches back nearly twenty years, with arrests including theft, burglary, drug possession and domestic violence.
We thank you for coming today. We have gathered you here today to honor the legacy of a wonderful man.
Jason was a loving father who took no greater joy than spending time with his family and providing for others. My brother was a person who was always bigger than this world. He had a strong relationship with the Lord and demonstrated it daily through his actions and his ability to give. There has been a hole ripped in our hearts that will never be filled.
We have started a GoFundMe account to help support the wife and two beautiful children that he is leaving behind. More than anything, we would like to stress how the selfish acts of one man can influence the lives of so many. While we do not know Mr. Geerdes, our hearts go out to his children as they too have been robbed of their father at no fault of their own.
At this time we would like to thank the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and all the deputies involved who assisted with the swift actions leading to an arrest, while dealing with a difficult crime scene. We know everyone is searching for answers in a situation that makes no sense to any of us.
Unfortunately, under the direction of the sheriff's office, we are not able to answer any questions at this time, nor do we really have any information that has been released outside of press releases.
Dosa, too, was previously busted for domestic violence and burglary, among other things, but his family maintains that he'd turned his life around and was a loving husband and father.
At a hearing yesterday, a judge declined to grant Geerdes bond for release. He'll be back in court next week.
Look below to see the aforementioned CBS4 piece, followed by our previous coverage.
Original post, 7:02 a.m. September 24: What started out as a series of 911 reports about a burning car quickly turned into a murder investigation.
And now Shawn Geerdes is in custody. He's believed to have shot Jason Dosa to death and then set the car ablaze, presumably to cover up evidence of the crime.
About 11:40 a.m. on September 20, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, numerous calls to 911 revealed that a car was on fire near the 9500 block of Cougar Road in southern Jeffco.
Here's a JCSO photo shot after the flames were extinguished.
Inside the vehicle, emergency personnel discovered a body that was later identified as Dosa.
The sheriff's office quickly branded the situation as suspicious, and no wonder. Dosa had been shot to death.
Suspicion quickly turned to Geerdes, who was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. yesterday after being pulled over by law enforcement on Highway 85 north of Meadows Parkway in Douglas County.
He's being held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder and second-degree arson.
In the meantime, the Dosa family is struggling to deal with the tragedy. Here's the introduction to the GoFundMe page set up after his death.
On September 20, 2015, Jason Michael Dosa passed away from a senseless act in which we are still seeking answers for. There are no words right now to express the deep grief that this loss has caused his family. He was such a light in this world and was looked up to by so many. He leaves behind his loving wife Heather as well as his two beautiful children: Ryan and Greg. Jason was a family man who truly believed in the love of God. This love was apparent by the way he led his life and the way he impacted us all. He was a wonderful husband, a compassionate father, a caring son, a loyal brother and a valued friend. Anyone who knew Jason knows the depths of his heart and his willingness to be there for the ones he loved. We ask for financial blessings as he was the sole provider of his family.We also ask prayers for his family right now as they deal with the aftermath of his passing.At this writing, just over $3,000 has been raised. For more information, click here.
Our sincere condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Jason Dosa. Look below to see a booking photo of Shawn Geerdes from earlier this year.
