Man who says Colorado teen hired him to kill her is charged

A man who told investigators he shot a Colorado teenager in the head after she hired him to kill her has been charged with first-degree murder.

Joseph Lopez was advised of the charge in Adams County District Court on Wednesday, and a preliminary hearing is set for April 27.

Investigators say the 22-year-old told them he responded to a Craigslist ad titled “I want to put a hit on myself” that was posted by 19-year-old Natalie Bollinger. He said he tried to change her mind as they drove around, but he eventually parked the car northeast of Denver and shot her.

Bollinger was found dead Dec. 29, a day after her boyfriend reported her missing. He also reported his pistol was gone.

Booking documents don’t indicate if Lopez has hired an attorney.