From left: Weston Owen, Sara Bess and Kellar Weisgerber (Fruita Police Department).
In a chilling crime that has left a Colorado community in shock, three individuals have been arrested following the brutal murder of a man, whose body was later abandoned in the desert. The suspects, Weston Owen and Sara Bess, both 18 years old, along with 21-year-old Kellar Weisgerber, are facing multiple charges including first-degree murder, evidence tampering, abuse of a corpse, and conspiracy.
The Fruita Police Department, located in western Colorado, initiated their investigation after responding to reports of a suspicious incident in the 21 Road desert area last Saturday. As detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by Grand Junction’s CBS affiliate KREX, the events began to unfold at a local bar. On the night of the alleged murder, Bess, her fiancé Owen, and her 62-year-old uncle, John Krabbe, were present at the establishment. Bess had assumed the role of designated driver. According to the affidavit, tensions escalated when Owen witnessed Krabbe touching Bess’s neck, which he interpreted as an inappropriate advance.
Acting on his suspicion, Owen allegedly contacted Weisgerber to assist in confronting Krabbe. The affidavit suggests that the trio conspired to kill Krabbe, waiting until he retired for the night. Owen is accused of striking Krabbe with a flashlight while Weisgerber held him down, inflicting a fatal blow when Bess reportedly heard the sound of his skull cracking. Following this, Owen allegedly strangled Krabbe to ensure his death, with Bess confirming the absence of a pulse, as per the affidavit.
The affidavit further describes that after the murder, Weisgerber purportedly tied Krabbe’s hands and feet with red rope. He and Owen then dragged the lifeless body across the residence, placing it in Krabbe’s vehicle. The pair allegedly transported the body to an isolated desert location, concealing it behind a bush.
In an apparent effort to destroy evidence, the suspects are said to have gathered items stained with the victim’s blood and incinerated them near 21 Road. During this time, Bess reportedly distanced herself from the scene under the guise of taking photographs. She is said to have phoned her mother, claiming that Owen had threatened her with a knife, coercing her silence about the murder. This call prompted her mother to alert the police, who swiftly responded to the scene.
The suspects then allegedly collected items with the victim’s blood on them and drove to the area of 21 Road and burned them. As this was happening, Bess reportedly walked away and pretended to take pictures. She allegedly called her mother and told her that Owen held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the murder. Bess allegedly asked her mother to call police, who responded to the area.
According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, a judge set the suspects’ bonds at $2 million each. Their next court date is scheduled for Dec. 5.
