Manitou Springs homicide victim identified

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a woman who was found dead in her Manitou Springs home Tuesday.

Jacqueline Knudson was 56 years old.

Deputies have arrested 29-year-old Christopher Andrew Miller on suspicion of first-degree murder in Knudson’s death.

Miller rented a room in Knudson’s home and claims he found her body at 55 Waltham Ave. around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Knudson and determined she died from blunt-force trauma. Her death has been ruled a homicide.

Investigators have not released any information regarding a motive.

On Friday, family members moved some of her belonging from her home. The declined to comment about the investigation.

Friends said her death is a shock.

“We’re going to miss her,” said Nancy Hurst. “Everyone along [Waltham] will miss that lady.”

Hurst could not provide many personal details about her longtime neighbor but called her compassionate. Hurst said Knudson showed sympathy when she learned of a death in Hurst’s family earlier this year.

“She was there for me and she said, ‘Here, let me give you a hug’ and she was consoling me, and now you know she’s not here,” said Hurst.

Hurst said she didn’t realize Knudson was renting a room in her home to someone.

Miller is being held without bond.