The Sad, Lonely End for Denver Murder Victim Antonio Alvarado Ruiz

The image above depicts the 2600 block of Monaghan Road in Watkins. As you can see, the area is wide open and desolate. It's also where the body of Antonio Alvarado Ruiz was discovered. He was murdered. At around 6:22 p.m. on June 3, according to the Aurora Police Department, officers...

By Michael Roberts

June 9, 2015

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The image above depicts the 2600 block of Monaghan Road in Watkins.

As you can see, the area is wide open and desolate.

It's also where the body of Antonio Alvarado Ruiz was discovered.

He was murdered.

At around 6:22 p.m. on June 3, according to the Aurora Police Department, officers were dispatched to a field in the area, which is captured in this interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View on Google Maps."

At this location, they found a deceased male whose death was described as "suspicious."

Indeed it was. The man subsequently identified as Ruiz had been killed by a gunshot wound.

If the APD has any additional information about the case, representatives haven't released it yet. We don't know if he died in the field, if his body was dumped there or exactly what happened.

Likewise, no photos of Ruiz have surfaced thus far, and little is known about him other than that he lived in Denver.

This is the kind of case that can fall through the cracks. In an effort to prevent that from happening, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 in the case. Folks with information are encouraged to phone Crime Stoppers 720-213-STOP (7867) or Agent Warren Miller at 303-739-6117.

In the meantime, we offer our sincere condolences to Ruiz's friends, family and loved ones.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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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.

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