Dylan Redwine’s death ruled homicide, father identified as person of interest

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office says Dylan Redwine’s death has been ruled a homicide and his father, Mark Redwine, has been named a person of interest in his son’s death.

Dylan Redwine, who lived with his mother in Monument, disappeared in November 2012 while visiting his father in Vallecito over the Thanksgiving break. His remains were found on a mountain near his father’s home in June 2013.

Redwine’s cause of death was originally listed as undetermined, but the La Plata County Coroner has changed his cause of death to homicide.

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier this summer that it had identified a person of interest in Dylan’s death, but it did not say who that person of interest was.

Dylan’s mother, Elaine Hall, always suspected it was Mark Redwine.

“I felt it all along,” she said. “All that comes from Mark Redwine’s mouth is inaccuracies, unsubstantiated statements and lies. Nothing he says surprises me, and nothing he says I believe.”

On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, the sheriff’s office identified the person of interest as Mark Redwine. The sheriff’s office says Mark Redwine was named a person of interest based on evidence collected during the investigation, inconsistent statements made by Mark Redwine and his behavior throughout the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office said that as part of their investigation, Dylan’s mother, Elaine Hall, her son Cory Redwine, and Elaine’s husband, Mike Hall were cleared of any involvement in the disappearance and death of Dylan Redwine.

“It’s the most horrific process I’ve ever encountered. But I have to believe in the process and have faith in those that are working to get justice for Dylan,” Elaine Hall said.

Retired FBI agent Pete Klismet, of Colorado Springs, was brought in to help with the investigation.

“We really feel like we have made some progress and we feel like we have gotten to the point that we are optimistic about where we are going now,” Klismet said earlier this summer.

Dan Bender, with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that this potential break in the case happened in early June during a search of the area where Redwine’s remains were found. He says “items of interest” were found during that search, though he declined to go into detail. The area will be searched again in September.

Bender said the person of interest was identified after Klismet, who has more than 30 years experience as a criminal profiler, reviewed existing evidence in the case, along with the new evidence. Klismet said bringing in a fresh set of eyes proved to be extremely beneficial in this case.

“We have gone from really not knowing who might have been a person of interest in this case to the point where we are saying yes, we feel very confident in having one,” said Klismet.

Dylan Redwine’s father, Mark Redwine, told the Denver Post he thought he may be Klismet’s person of interest. Klismet said he was willing to talk with Mark Redwine about the case.

“I think it’s his job to get ahold of us and to talk with us to convince us that he is not a person of interest in this case,” Klismet said. “If we can clear him, that would make me very happy.”

Klismet said any conversation with Mark Redwine would need to be done in person.

“I don’t do interviews by email, by text or by telephone. If he wants to sit down and talk with me, when he’s ready to do that, I’m ready to do that anytime,” Klismet said.

Dylan Redwine’s mom, Elaine Hall, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mark Redwine in La Plata County District Court on June 29.

In the lawsuit, Elaine Hall alleges her ex-husband’s conduct resulted in the death of their son and that Dylan’s death was “the proximate and direct result of the negligence” of Mark Redwine.

Hall is asking for financial compensation in the suit.

Klismet said the timing of the lawsuit was merely a coincidence and said it did not have an impact on the investigation.

“I just found out about it today and I kind of snapped my head and said ‘What?’ said Klismet.

Mark Redwine is only considered a person of interest in his son’s death. He has not been named a suspect.

Hall says the process has been grueling and she still mourns her son daily.

“He should’ve been driving, he should’ve been in high school,” she said. “There’s so many events that he missed out on, and sadly we can’t change that, but we have to remain strong.”