On June 24, 2022, at approximately 1:13PM, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Communication Center was notified by the El Paso County Communications Center of a possible homicide victim in a vehicle at the El Paso County Jail, 2739 E. Las Vegas St. The El Paso County Jail is located within the city of Colorado Springs and detectives from the Colorado Springs Police Department Homicide/Assault Unit responded to assume the investigation. Detectives were informed by El Paso County Sheriff Office Deputies that 52-year-old David Mitchell of Colorado Springs walked into the Jail to turn himself in for having killed his wife. Deputies subsequently responded to the visitor parking lot of the Jail and found a deceased adult female inside a vehicle. During the investigation, detectives learned the death occurred in unincorporated El Paso County. After coordinating with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, CSPD Homicide/Assault Unit Detectives continued the investigation and obtained probable cause to arrest Mr. Mitchell for First Degree Murder. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on June 24, 2022.
On June 27, 2022, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy on the deceased female. The deceased party has been identified as 44-year-old Melody Horton of El Paso County. The cause and the manner of her death will be determined by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office. Ms. Horton’s death is being investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department Homicide/Assault Unit as a homicide.
Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
All Future updates will only be released by the Public Information Office.
Original Twitter Post
CSPD is responding to a reported homicide in the 2700 block of E Las Vegas st. There is no threat to the public. Violent Crimes Detectives have taken over the investigation. More details will be released as appropriate.