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Tag: jessica ridgeway murder

  • Jessica Ridgeway Murderer Pleads Guilty

    Austin Sigg has pleaded guilty to the murder of 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway, nearly a year after her body was found. He entered a guilty plea in front of Jefferson County District Court. He had also previously confessed the murder to his mother.

    Since Sigg was only 17 when he confessed, his attorney had tried to get them dismissed, stating that he was too young to understand his actions and the consequences of his confession at the time.

    Stigg admitted that he not only murdered the girl but also sexually abused her and dismembered her body. He also claimed to have attacked a female jogger earlier that same year.

    Jefferson County District Court Chief Judge Stephen Munsinger accepted the guilty plea and warned the boy that he could be sentenced to life in prison.

    “There was no plea bargain in this case. There were no concessions,” 1st Judicial District Attorney Peter Weir said. “We were not going to make any concessions for Austin Sigg.”

    Jessica Ridgeway was last seen walking to school. Her body was later found dismembered in a Colorado park, not far from where she lived.

    Image from Sun Journal.

  • 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.”