Colorado Springs tops region with highest number of unsolved murders

Colorado Springs has the highest number of homicide cold cases in southern Colorado, according to a KRDO investigation.

Exactly a year ago, Kenneth John Hatcher (24) was shot and killed at the Playing Field Sports Bar off of Academy. Along with 90 others in Colorado Springs, his case is now likely turning cold.

“CSPD considers a case to be cold if it remains unsolved for more than one year,” according to a statement posted on the police department’s website.

So we wanted to know why cases like Hatcher’s turn cold so fast?

Meet the Hatcher family

“I felt like I died that day too,” said Sandra Hatcher, Kenneth’s mother.

Hatcher relives the pain of the day she learned her only son was murdered.

“It destroyed our family,” she said.

Pictured above are hundreds of people who gathered to honor Hatcher’s life at a vigil in Colorado Springs.

The one year anniversary of his death is Monday August 20, 2018. The family tells us they have yet to be interviewed by police on the case.

“We don’t feel like detectives have put a lot of effort into it,” said Hatcher.

They’re not alone. According to data provided by CSPD, the department is responsible for approximately 90 unsolved murders in Colorado Springs.

But, the question still remains shouldn’t families be regularly updated about the cases regarding their loved ones?

Springs police released the following statement stating: “We constantly stay in contact with our victim families, with detectives and our victim advocates.”

Det. Jason Darbyshire, with the Sheriff’s Office explains there’s a reason certain cases are more likely to become “cold.”

“Eye witnesses that don’t come forward and the lack of physical evidence,” Darbyshire said.

If you have any information on Hatcher’s case or another cold case, you’re asked to call CSPD at (719) 444-7613.