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  • Jessica Ridgeway: Teen Guilty in Child’s Death, No Death Penalty

    In October 2012 in Colorado, the parents of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway were delivered the devastating news that their daughter had been kidnapped on the way to school. Just a few days later, parts of her body were found in a field.

    Then 17-year-old Austin Sigg confessed to murdering Jessica and has now pleaded guilty to kidnapping, murdering, sexually assaulting and dismembering the young girl. Since Sigg was 17 when he committed the crimes, he isn’t eligible for the death penalty.

    Sigg first confessed murdering and dismembering Jessica to his mother, who called 911 and made the report. “I made the phone call, and he turned himself in. That’s all I have to say,” Mindy Sigg said. During the 911 call, Sigg could be heard saying, “I murdered Jessica Ridgeway, I have proof that I did. I’m giving myself up completely, there will be no resistance whatsoever.”

    In addition to the brutal murder of Jessica Ridgeway, Sigg also confessed to another violent crime that occurred just months before the young girl’s death. Sigg told a 911 dispatcher that he was responsible for the attack on a jogger in a park near his home in May 2012. “The only other thing that I have done was the Ketner Lake incident where the woman got attacked. That was me,” Sigg said.

    The Colorado teen told detectives the same thing he told his mom and was charged with kidnapping, murder, sexual assault of a child and other charges. Despite the confessions, Sigg initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his attorney worked to have his confessions excluded from the trial, saying he was too young to understand his decision.

    Against the advice of his attorney, Sigg changed his plea to guilty on all charges on Tuesday. “The writing was on the wall,” Jefferson County District Attorney Peter Weir said. “In this case, there has been justice for Jessica.”

    Despite the horrific nature of the crimes, Sigg may be eligible for parole in 40 years, something prosecutors are trying to make sure doesn’t happen. Sigg will be sentenced on November 8, and prosecutors have asked Judge Stephen Munsinger to make him serve consecutive sentences, which would ensure he spends the rest of his life behind bars.

    Main image via YouTube; Article picture via YouTube

  • Jessica Ridgeway: Teen Arrested For Her Murder

    When 10-year old Jessica Ridgeway went missing on her way to school on October 5th in Colorado, the story garnered thousands of supporters all hoping she would be found alive and well.

    Unfortunately, her body was found on October 10th; horrifyingly, it was not intact. The police immediately knew they had a different sort of suspect on their hands and began a search that would lead them just a mile away from Jessica’s home, to the residence of a 17-year old boy whose mother phoned in a tip. He later turned himself in.

    Austin Lee Sigg is now in custody and awaiting his court date, but officials aren’t releasing many details. They do say, however, that they have evidence which links him to an attempted attack on a young woman who was running in a nearby park in May, and he will be charged in that case as well. The woman said she was jumped from behind and had something forced over her mouth which smelled strongly of chemicals, but managed to fight off her attacker.

    Little is known about Sigg, other than that he is noted as a quiet boy often seen on his skateboard or scooter by neighbors. Interestingly, he apparently took second place in the Crime Scene Investigation division of the Health Occupation Students of America State Leadership conference competition at his school.

    Police say they hope the arrest will help Jessica’s family gain a bit of closure and peace after such a harrowing month; Governor John Hickenlooper also spoke about the family’s loss and about the toll the murder has taken on the community.

    “Every parent in every Colorado community will rest a little easier tonight,” he said. “While we still mourn the death of Jessica Ridgeway, we are relieved an arrest has been made and the pursuit of justice can continue.”

  • Jessica Ridgeway Search Expanded After Clues Found

    Jessica Ridgeway, the 10-year old girl who went missing in Colorado on Friday morning, has a lot of people searching for her. The teams–over 100 volunteers–are now expanding their search area after her backpack was found in a neighborhood over six miles from her home.

    Jessica was last seen walking to school on Friday morning; her mother, who works the night shift, went to bed and never knew that her daughter didn’t make it to class. A phone call from school officials that afternoon, letting her know that Jessica had been absent, was the first clue she had that something wasn’t right. A search was immediately organized, but now the party is expanding the area to include open fields between Westminster–where she’s from–and Superior.

    On Saturday night, a man and his wife left their home a little before seven. When they returned after midnight, they noticed a backpack near their house. Not knowing about the Amber Alert for Jessica, or thinking anything was unusual–there are several kids in the neighborhood–the couple ignored it until the next day, when it still hadn’t been claimed. An investigation turned up a keychain and water bottle with Jessica’s name on them, and the man posted to the town’s listserv that he’d found someone’s bag, hoping it would catch the attention of someone who knew the owner.

    The message read: “Children’s backpack. Found this morning on the side walk at Andrew Drive and Alpha Court. Water bottle has ‘Jessica Ridgeway’ name on it. Come and get it.”

    A reader recognized the name and pointed out the Amber Alert to the man, who called police.

    Officials say they have no suspects in mind yet but will continue their search while hoping for the best. Anyone with any information, particularly about how the backpack came to rest where it was found, is urged to call 303-658-4336 or email [email protected].