The stepdaughter of a Weld County commissioner was killed last week in Denver, and authorities have identified a suspect in the case.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the homicide of Abby Cozad, the stepdaughter of Weld Commissioner Julie Cozad.
Cozad's body was found in the Primrose Motel in Denver, 5450 N. Federal Blvd., the morning of June 1. Investigators believe she was killed either May 31 or June 1.
On Thursday, her father, Larry Cozad, remembered his daughter as someone who loved to laugh and enjoy life, but who was also doggedly determined to overcome the obstacles life put in her way.
"As a child growing up, she did all the normal things — school functions, church functions," he said. "She loved to go camping." A week before Christmas in 1999, when Abby was a junior in high school, she was involved in a car crash with a drunken driver. It left her with a traumatic brain injury that forced her to relearn many life skills. She spent four weeks in the intensive care unit, four and a half months at Craig Rehabilitation Center in Denver. And she also spent many years in follow-up appointments receiving care.
"She had to learn basically everything — how to breath, eat write, talk, walk," he said. "She literally started life over at 16."
She missed the second half of her junior year of high school and returned in a wheelchair. Still, she was determined to graduate on time and walk with her senior class at Skyline High School in Longmont.
"The one thing the accident didn't take away from her was her drive and determination," he said. "She did it. She walked across her stage and received her diploma."
She was determined to live a full and normal life, he said. She learned to drive and to ski. She earned her associate degree from Front Range Community College.
"She was very creative," Julie Cozad said. "She loved photography and pottery — anything artistic. She always had a dream of being a graphic artist."
Julie Cozad, who married Larry 12 years ago, and got to know Abby then. Julie said her fondest memories of Abby involve camping trips with the family in Wyoming. She said the family is struggling to understand why someone would kill Abby.
"If anybody has any information about it at all, we want people to come forward," she said. "That's really what we want is justice for her."
© Greeley Tribune June 12, 2015
BRIGHTON — A man accused of beating and strangling a disabled woman to death and stuffing her body in a sofa at a motel in Adams County has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Adams County District Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Emiliano Urioste was sentenced Thursday for the death of 31-year-old Abigail Cozad. She is the step-daughter of Weld County Commissioner Julie Cozad. He was convicted of several charges, including first-degree murder and robbery.
Prosecutors say Urioste killed Abigail Cozad and planned to set the sofa and motel room on fire. His plan was foiled when he returned to the motel and found police there June 1, 2015.
Excerpt from © Greeley Tribune June 18, 2016
A second suspect, Teresa Dean, was convicted of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 32 years in prison.∼Abigail (Abby) Ann Cozad was born August 30th, 1983 in Wheatland, Wyoming, the daughter of Larry Cozad and Dawn (Weber) Shatzel. She and her family moved from Wheatland in 1988 to Casper Wyoming and lived there until 1992. In 1992 the family moved to Longmont Colorado. Abby attended Skyline High School in Longmont where she graduated in 2001. Abby participated in the swim team during high school and was also honored to be crowned prom queen her senior year.
After high school, Abby attended Front Range Community College where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree. Abby loved to do pottery, photography and painting. She aspired to be a graphic or interior designer. Abby had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile.
Abby was murdered on June 1, 2015 at the age of 31 by her one time boyfriend Emiliano Urioste and accomplice Teresa Dean at The Primrose Motel in Adams County, Colorado. Adams County District Court Judge Craig Welling sentenced Urioste to life in prison without parole and an additional six years. Teresa Dean was also charged with first-degree murder for her role in Cozad's murder.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the homicide of Abby Cozad, the stepdaughter of Weld Commissioner Julie Cozad.
Cozad's body was found in the Primrose Motel in Denver, 5450 N. Federal Blvd., the morning of June 1. Investigators believe she was killed either May 31 or June 1.
On Thursday, her father, Larry Cozad, remembered his daughter as someone who loved to laugh and enjoy life, but who was also doggedly determined to overcome the obstacles life put in her way.
"As a child growing up, she did all the normal things — school functions, church functions," he said. "She loved to go camping." A week before Christmas in 1999, when Abby was a junior in high school, she was involved in a car crash with a drunken driver. It left her with a traumatic brain injury that forced her to relearn many life skills. She spent four weeks in the intensive care unit, four and a half months at Craig Rehabilitation Center in Denver. And she also spent many years in follow-up appointments receiving care.
"She had to learn basically everything — how to breath, eat write, talk, walk," he said. "She literally started life over at 16."
She missed the second half of her junior year of high school and returned in a wheelchair. Still, she was determined to graduate on time and walk with her senior class at Skyline High School in Longmont.
"The one thing the accident didn't take away from her was her drive and determination," he said. "She did it. She walked across her stage and received her diploma."
She was determined to live a full and normal life, he said. She learned to drive and to ski. She earned her associate degree from Front Range Community College.
"She was very creative," Julie Cozad said. "She loved photography and pottery — anything artistic. She always had a dream of being a graphic artist."
Julie Cozad, who married Larry 12 years ago, and got to know Abby then. Julie said her fondest memories of Abby involve camping trips with the family in Wyoming. She said the family is struggling to understand why someone would kill Abby.
"If anybody has any information about it at all, we want people to come forward," she said. "That's really what we want is justice for her."
© Greeley Tribune June 12, 2015
BRIGHTON — A man accused of beating and strangling a disabled woman to death and stuffing her body in a sofa at a motel in Adams County has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Adams County District Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Emiliano Urioste was sentenced Thursday for the death of 31-year-old Abigail Cozad. She is the step-daughter of Weld County Commissioner Julie Cozad. He was convicted of several charges, including first-degree murder and robbery.
Prosecutors say Urioste killed Abigail Cozad and planned to set the sofa and motel room on fire. His plan was foiled when he returned to the motel and found police there June 1, 2015.
Excerpt from © Greeley Tribune June 18, 2016
A second suspect, Teresa Dean, was convicted of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 32 years in prison.∼Abigail (Abby) Ann Cozad was born August 30th, 1983 in Wheatland, Wyoming, the daughter of Larry Cozad and Dawn (Weber) Shatzel. She and her family moved from Wheatland in 1988 to Casper Wyoming and lived there until 1992. In 1992 the family moved to Longmont Colorado. Abby attended Skyline High School in Longmont where she graduated in 2001. Abby participated in the swim team during high school and was also honored to be crowned prom queen her senior year.
After high school, Abby attended Front Range Community College where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree. Abby loved to do pottery, photography and painting. She aspired to be a graphic or interior designer. Abby had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile.
Abby was murdered on June 1, 2015 at the age of 31 by her one time boyfriend Emiliano Urioste and accomplice Teresa Dean at The Primrose Motel in Adams County, Colorado. Adams County District Court Judge Craig Welling sentenced Urioste to life in prison without parole and an additional six years. Teresa Dean was also charged with first-degree murder for her role in Cozad's murder.
The stepdaughter of a Weld County commissioner was killed last week in Denver, and authorities have identified a suspect in the case.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the homicide of Abby Cozad, the stepdaughter of Weld Commissioner Julie Cozad.
Cozad's body was found in the Primrose Motel in Denver, 5450 N. Federal Blvd., the morning of June 1. Investigators believe she was killed either May 31 or June 1.
On Thursday, her father, Larry Cozad, remembered his daughter as someone who loved to laugh and enjoy life, but who was also doggedly determined to overcome the obstacles life put in her way.
"As a child growing up, she did all the normal things — school functions, church functions," he said. "She loved to go camping." A week before Christmas in 1999, when Abby was a junior in high school, she was involved in a car crash with a drunken driver. It left her with a traumatic brain injury that forced her to relearn many life skills. She spent four weeks in the intensive care unit, four and a half months at Craig Rehabilitation Center in Denver. And she also spent many years in follow-up appointments receiving care.
"She had to learn basically everything — how to breath, eat write, talk, walk," he said. "She literally started life over at 16."
She missed the second half of her junior year of high school and returned in a wheelchair. Still, she was determined to graduate on time and walk with her senior class at Skyline High School in Longmont.
"The one thing the accident didn't take away from her was her drive and determination," he said. "She did it. She walked across her stage and received her diploma."
She was determined to live a full and normal life, he said. She learned to drive and to ski. She earned her associate degree from Front Range Community College.
"She was very creative," Julie Cozad said. "She loved photography and pottery — anything artistic. She always had a dream of being a graphic artist."
Julie Cozad, who married Larry 12 years ago, and got to know Abby then. Julie said her fondest memories of Abby involve camping trips with the family in Wyoming. She said the family is struggling to understand why someone would kill Abby.
"If anybody has any information about it at all, we want people to come forward," she said. "That's really what we want is justice for her."
© Greeley Tribune June 12, 2015
BRIGHTON — A man accused of beating and strangling a disabled woman to death and stuffing her body in a sofa at a motel in Adams County has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Adams County District Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Emiliano Urioste was sentenced Thursday for the death of 31-year-old Abigail Cozad. She is the step-daughter of Weld County Commissioner Julie Cozad. He was convicted of several charges, including first-degree murder and robbery.
Prosecutors say Urioste killed Abigail Cozad and planned to set the sofa and motel room on fire. His plan was foiled when he returned to the motel and found police there June 1, 2015.
Excerpt from © Greeley Tribune June 18, 2016
A second suspect, Teresa Dean, was convicted of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 32 years in prison.∼Abigail (Abby) Ann Cozad was born August 30th, 1983 in Wheatland, Wyoming, the daughter of Larry Cozad and Dawn (Weber) Shatzel. She and her family moved from Wheatland in 1988 to Casper Wyoming and lived there until 1992. In 1992 the family moved to Longmont Colorado. Abby attended Skyline High School in Longmont where she graduated in 2001. Abby participated in the swim team during high school and was also honored to be crowned prom queen her senior year.
After high school, Abby attended Front Range Community College where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree. Abby loved to do pottery, photography and painting. She aspired to be a graphic or interior designer. Abby had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile.
Abby was murdered on June 1, 2015 at the age of 31 by her one time boyfriend Emiliano Urioste and accomplice Teresa Dean at The Primrose Motel in Adams County, Colorado. Adams County District Court Judge Craig Welling sentenced Urioste to life in prison without parole and an additional six years. Teresa Dean was also charged with first-degree murder for her role in Cozad's murder.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the homicide of Abby Cozad, the stepdaughter of Weld Commissioner Julie Cozad.
Cozad's body was found in the Primrose Motel in Denver, 5450 N. Federal Blvd., the morning of June 1. Investigators believe she was killed either May 31 or June 1.
On Thursday, her father, Larry Cozad, remembered his daughter as someone who loved to laugh and enjoy life, but who was also doggedly determined to overcome the obstacles life put in her way.
"As a child growing up, she did all the normal things — school functions, church functions," he said. "She loved to go camping." A week before Christmas in 1999, when Abby was a junior in high school, she was involved in a car crash with a drunken driver. It left her with a traumatic brain injury that forced her to relearn many life skills. She spent four weeks in the intensive care unit, four and a half months at Craig Rehabilitation Center in Denver. And she also spent many years in follow-up appointments receiving care.
"She had to learn basically everything — how to breath, eat write, talk, walk," he said. "She literally started life over at 16."
She missed the second half of her junior year of high school and returned in a wheelchair. Still, she was determined to graduate on time and walk with her senior class at Skyline High School in Longmont.
"The one thing the accident didn't take away from her was her drive and determination," he said. "She did it. She walked across her stage and received her diploma."
She was determined to live a full and normal life, he said. She learned to drive and to ski. She earned her associate degree from Front Range Community College.
"She was very creative," Julie Cozad said. "She loved photography and pottery — anything artistic. She always had a dream of being a graphic artist."
Julie Cozad, who married Larry 12 years ago, and got to know Abby then. Julie said her fondest memories of Abby involve camping trips with the family in Wyoming. She said the family is struggling to understand why someone would kill Abby.
"If anybody has any information about it at all, we want people to come forward," she said. "That's really what we want is justice for her."
© Greeley Tribune June 12, 2015
BRIGHTON — A man accused of beating and strangling a disabled woman to death and stuffing her body in a sofa at a motel in Adams County has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Adams County District Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Emiliano Urioste was sentenced Thursday for the death of 31-year-old Abigail Cozad. She is the step-daughter of Weld County Commissioner Julie Cozad. He was convicted of several charges, including first-degree murder and robbery.
Prosecutors say Urioste killed Abigail Cozad and planned to set the sofa and motel room on fire. His plan was foiled when he returned to the motel and found police there June 1, 2015.
Excerpt from © Greeley Tribune June 18, 2016
A second suspect, Teresa Dean, was convicted of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 32 years in prison.∼Abigail (Abby) Ann Cozad was born August 30th, 1983 in Wheatland, Wyoming, the daughter of Larry Cozad and Dawn (Weber) Shatzel. She and her family moved from Wheatland in 1988 to Casper Wyoming and lived there until 1992. In 1992 the family moved to Longmont Colorado. Abby attended Skyline High School in Longmont where she graduated in 2001. Abby participated in the swim team during high school and was also honored to be crowned prom queen her senior year.
After high school, Abby attended Front Range Community College where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree. Abby loved to do pottery, photography and painting. She aspired to be a graphic or interior designer. Abby had a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile.
Abby was murdered on June 1, 2015 at the age of 31 by her one time boyfriend Emiliano Urioste and accomplice Teresa Dean at The Primrose Motel in Adams County, Colorado. Adams County District Court Judge Craig Welling sentenced Urioste to life in prison without parole and an additional six years. Teresa Dean was also charged with first-degree murder for her role in Cozad's murder.
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