8 years later: Family still searching for answers in disappearance of Bekime “Becky” Elshani

Colorado Springs resident Bekime “Becky” Elshani was last seen early Saturday morning March 29 , 2008.

“Every year we get her a cake, get everybody together. She’s never forgotten, she was a beautiful soul,” said Fatime Elshani, Becky’s younger sister.

The Elshani family tries to stay optimistic, but as the years go by, so do unanswered questions.

“It’s definitely harder. I can’t believe it’s been eight years. I thought we’d find her by now. But I won’t give up hope. I’ll die trying,” said Fatime.

Becky was 22 years old when she disappeared. She came from a family of 10 kids and a handful of close friends.

“I just feel so bad it happened, she didn’t deserve it. She was such a kind person,” said Amy Mutha, Becky’s best friend.

Two days after Becky was reported missing, police went to her apartment complex for a welfare check near Academy and Dublin. They heard a gunshot inside.

Officers found Becky’s boyfriend, 24 year-old Daniel Dereere, dead inside. He had shot himself. Police didn’t find Becky.

Elshani’s family members said the boyfriend was last seen in the Teller County area the day she went missing. They believe he was responsible for the disappearance, but it’s been difficult to prove.

“Even though the potential suspect you have may be deceased, is there really a way to verify that? So the case will remain open,” said Detective Jeff Nohr with the El Paso County Cold Case Unit.

Nohr can’t speak specifically to Becky’s case but said working with a deceased potential suspect is one of several challenges he’s faced in working on cold cases.

“The physical side of it gets more difficult. The people side may become more relaxed and someone may be willing to talk to you now that wasn’t willing to talk back then,” said Nohr.

Another challenge is searching for bodies in Colorado’s wide terrain, something Becky’s family has tried to do for years.

“You have to consider if a body goes to the mountains, the changes is totally different, so things can go away quicker,” said Nohr.

The family believes the boyfriend killed and dumped Becky’s body. It plans on continuing the search this summer and is asking for volunteers to help.

“If anyone knows anything, I’d wish they’d come forward, cause if this happened to them I’m sure they’d want the same,” said Fatime.

A $5,000 reward is still out for any information on the disappearance.