Mile High Murder, No. 32: Death of Bonnie Bergin in house fire being investigated as homicide

Last week, Bonnie Bergin's body was found amid flames that destroyed a house she was renting on West 20th Avenue in Lakewood -- and now, the Lakewood Police Department has formally determined that she was murdered. At this point, the LPD isn't releasing her cause of death, which suggests Bergin,...

By Michael Roberts

August 6, 2009

[
        {
          "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
        }
      ]

Last week, Bonnie Bergin's body was found amid flames that destroyed a house she was renting on West 20th Avenue in Lakewood -- and now, the Lakewood Police Department has formally determined that she was murdered. At this point, the LPD isn't releasing her cause of death, which suggests Bergin, 49, might have been killed by a means other than fire, and that the blaze was set in an attempt to destroy evidence. Then again, maybe I just watch too much television.

Read the official press release on the change in status of the Bergin investigation by clicking "Continue."

Death in House Fire Investigated as Homicide

August 6, 2009

Lakewood police detectives are convinced following an autopsy that a woman who died in a house fire on W. 20th Avenue last week was the victim of a homicide. Her death will be investigated as such by the Lakewood Police Department. The exact cause of death is not being released as of yet and is considered to be an investigative key.

Detectives will still work with investigators from the West Metro Fire Protection District in an attempt to determine the point of origin and exact cause of the fire.

Last week the Jefferson County Coroner's Office officially identified the victim found in the residence as 49-year-old Bonnie Gilbert Bergin (10-01-59). Bergin had been renting the house on W. 20th Avenue.

Firefighters from West Metro responded to numerous 911 calls at about 10:30 pm on Tuesday July 28, 2009, after neighbors reported hearing an explosion and seeing flames at the residence on W. 20th Avenue.

Detectives are asking anyone who feels they may have information about Bergin and/or information that would assist them with their investigation to please call the Lakewood Police Department at 303-987-7111.

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