Austin Sigg

Case name and parties

Austin Sigg was charged in connection with the kidnapping and killing of Jessica Ridgeway.

Jessica Ridgeway was a 10-year-old girl.

Mindy Sigg was Austin Sigg’s mother.

Rob Sigg was Austin Sigg’s father.

Sarah Ridgeway was Jessica Ridgeway’s mother.

Christine Ridgeway was Jessica Ridgeway’s grandmother.

Anissa Jones was a sexual-assault nurse examiner.

Jefferson County District Court Chief Judge Stephen Munsinger sentenced Sigg.

District Attorney Pete Weir and Chief Deputy District Attorney Hal Sargent made statements at the sentencing hearing.

Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk gave statements about Sigg’s arrest.

Westminster police Detective Luis Lopez testified at a preliminary hearing.

Westminster police Detective Albert Stutson testified at a preliminary hearing.

Detective Michael Lynch testified at a preliminary hearing.

Psychologist Anna Salter testified for the prosecution.

Governor John Hickenlooper released a statement about the arrest.

Timeline

• Oct. 5, 2012 — Jessica Ridgeway disappeared on her way to school.
• May 2012 — Austin Sigg attacked a 22-year-old jogger at Ketner Lake.
• Oct. 19, 2012 — A resident contacted authorities to alert them to Austin Sigg due to a fascination with death.
• Oct. 23, 2012 — Mindy Sigg called police after Austin Sigg confessed to her.
• Oct. 24, 2012 — Police announced the arrest of Austin Reed Sigg.
• Feb. 22, 2013 — A preliminary hearing took place; Sigg was bound over for trial on 18 of 20 counts relating to Jessica’s death and an attack on a jogger at Ketner Lake.
• Oct. 1, 2013 — Austin Sigg pleaded guilty to all 15 charges against him.
• Nov. 18, 2013 — A sentencing hearing began in Jefferson County District Court.
• Nov. 19, 2013 — Austin Sigg was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

The offence

Austin Sigg kidnapped and killed Jessica Ridgeway.

The sentencing hearing described that Sigg waited in the back seat of his Jeep, watched Jessica, and grabbed her when she walked next to his car. Sargent said Sigg bound Jessica’s arms and legs and threw her in the back seat.

Sargent said Sigg kept Jessica in his bedroom for nearly two hours. Sargent said Sigg made Jessica watch a movie while he cut her hair and laid out clothes for her to change into.

When Sargent described strangling, he said Sigg tried to strangle Jessica with zip ties, and the plastic cut into his hands. Sargent said Sigg later told police that he “didn’t ‘have enough leverage,’”.

Sargent said Sigg eventually strangled Jessica with his bare hands for up to three minutes.

Sargent said Sigg then filled a bathtub with scalding hot water and forced Jessica’s face down into it.

Sargent stated that he did not want to detail how Sigg methodically dismembered Jessica.

During the preliminary hearing testimony, Detective Michael Lynch testified that Sigg told Mindy Sigg and investigators that he dismembered Jessica’s body in a bathtub with a saw found in the garage. Lynch testified that Sigg then bagged up pieces of her body and hid them in a crawl space beneath their home.

Anissa Jones examined Jessica’s torso and determined that there was evidence that Jessica had been bruised, cut and sexually assaulted.

The autopsy determined that the cause of death was asphyxiation secondary to suffocation or strangulation.

Prosecutors described that Sigg sexually assaulted Jessica and that the attack was planned.

Defense cross-examination included Lynch’s testimony that Sigg denied sexually assaulting and torturing Jessica.

Sigg told police at the time that he was fulfilling a sexual fantasy.

Psychologist Anna Salter testified that Sigg tried to hide from his mother what he viewed as his worst offense. She said Sigg likely was sexually aroused by dismemberment and that Sigg kept certain body parts, including Jessica’s skull, and labeled the organs he removed. Salter testified that doctors urged Sigg’s father to control his son’s access to television and computers after Sigg’s stepmother sent him to treatment. Salter testified that Sigg’s mother found child pornography on his computer in 2008.

The record also described that Sigg tried to choke Jessica with zip ties; the zip cord broke on the first attempt.

Additional offence involving Ketner Lake

Austin Sigg was also charged with and pleaded guilty to an attack on a female jogger at Ketner Lake in May 2012.

During the preliminary hearing, investigator Michael Lynch testified that Sigg used homemade chloroform to attempt to subdue the woman and that the woman escaped.

Investigation

After Jessica’s disappearance on Oct. 5, 2012, the investigation set off a massive search effort that included more than 1,000 people and 75 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The timeline material described that Jefferson County Schools officials tried to contact Jessica’s mother after Jessica did not arrive at Witt Elementary School. It stated the call was made at 10 a.m. and that a voicemail was left; Jessica’s mother did not get the message until 4:30 p.m., and she immediately contacted Westminster police.

The record stated that it took about five hours before protocols were met for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to call an Amber Alert.

The record described that Jessica’s backpack was found on the sidewalk near Alpha Court and Andrew Drive in the Rock Creek neighborhood in Superior, 6.4 miles away from her home. The record stated that it was unknown at what point the backpack wound up there.

The timeline material stated that the CBI analyzed the backpack for DNA evidence and collected evidence from Ridgeway’s home for comparison.

Authorities urged residents to watch for any suspicious changes in neighbors’ behavior, and officers guarded crosswalks and photographed cars in the area. The timeline stated that parents escorted their children to and from area schools and that mailboxes and trees were encircled by ribbons in Jessica’s favorite color, purple.

On Oct. 19, 2012, a resident contacted authorities to alert them to Austin Sigg due to a fascination with death.

The timeline material stated that late on Oct. 23, Mindy Sigg called 911 after Sigg wanted to confess. It said Sigg told investigators that some of Jessica’s remains were hidden in a crawl space in Mindy Sigg’s home, where he lived, and described that he abducted Jessica as she walked past his car, bound her arms and legs, drove around for a little bit, then took her to his house where he tried to strangle her and then used his hands to kill her. The timeline material said he allegedly told investigators that he dismembered Jessica in a bathtub.

The record stated that Sigg’s DNA was found on Jessica’s clothing.

It also stated that one lead police detective in the case testified that DNA evidence linked Sigg to the clothing of the jogger who was assaulted May 28 and to the clothing and body of Jessica.

Detective Luis Lopez testified that a wooden cross was found along with Jessica’s torso, and that DNA on the body was linked to evidence found on the jogger’s clothing.

The record stated that evidence found in Jessica’s backpack pointed to Sigg. The backpack contained Jessica’s prescription glasses and clothing: her tie-dye T-shirt, her pants, panties and boots with pompoms.

After authorities released photos of the wooden cross, a neighbor of Austin Sigg called police. The neighbor said Sigg wore such a cross and said he was taking mortuary-science classes and was interested in dead animal and human bodies.

The record stated that Jessica was kidnapped on her way to school on Oct. 5, 2012, and that her body was discovered by two workers five days later in a field in Arvada.

Arrest and custody

Police arrested Austin Reed Sigg on Oct. 23 and held him at the Mount View Services Center.

The record described that police announced the arrest of Austin Reed Sigg on Wednesday morning. It stated that the 17-year-old was a Westminster resident and that he was being held on two counts of investigation of murder, kidnapping and criminal attempt at the Mount View Youth Services Center.

Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said: “We have taken a significant step towards justice for Jessica,” and: “We have made an arrest in the Jessica Ridgeway case. Seventeen-year-old Austin Sigg is in our custody.”

The record stated that after officers arrived at Sigg’s home, he turned himself into police.

The record described Sigg as a white teen male, 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, brown hair and green eyes, born in Colorado.

It stated that Sigg was taken into police custody at his home in the 10600 block of 102nd Avenue in Westminster on Tuesday evening. It described that the home was near Ketner Lake Open Space, several blocks from where Jessica was abducted on her way to Witt Elementary School on Oct. 5.

It stated that Sigg attended Witt Elementary, the same school Jessica attended when she was abducted.

The record stated that Sigg was enrolled in Jefferson County Schools from fifth to eleventh grade. After Witt Elementary, it said he attended Wayne Carle Middle School and Standley Lake High School. It stated that Sigg attended Warren Tech at the same time as Standley Lake High School. The record stated that Sigg did not receive a diploma from Jefferson County Schools, but did complete the GED program and received a certificate.

The record stated that Sigg was enrolled in the forensic science program at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, and that classmates told CBS4 he wanted to be a mortician.

The record stated that late Tuesday evening police received a call that led them to a home near Ketner Lake Open Space in Westminster, and that police were able to arrest Sigg in the 10-year-old’s murder.

Westminster Police spokesman Trevor Materasso said: “Though an arrest has been made there continues to be a substantial amount of work, leads, follow up that has to be done,” and: “If you look at this and recognize or you think there is any information that would still benefit the investigation we would continue to ask that you call the Westminster Police Department.”

It stated that authorities filed charges against Sigg for the May 28 attempted abduction of a woman jogging near Ketner Lake.

The record stated that Sigg was tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said: “We want to thank the community for the thousands of tips they have provided in this case,” and: “Those tips have been instrumental and very helpful in this case.”

The record stated that police searched Sigg’s home where he lived with his mother for evidence on Wednesday, with investigators taking particular interest in a Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV parked in the driveway. It stated the vehicle was hauled away on a tow truck and copter4 followed it to a garage at the Westminster Police Department where it would be examined and evidence collected.

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said: “We can’t give you a lot of information. Affidavits in this case have been sealed. That’s under a court order. We all are precluded from giving too much detail,”

The arrest report portion stated that Sigg was cooperative with police and waived his rights when taken into custody Tuesday night.

Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said: “We notified the Ridgeway family this morning of this arrest. It gives them some measure of closure in dealing with this horrible tragedy and loss that they have suffered,” and: “We also hope that knowing that an arrest has been made in this case can cause our community to rest a little easier and maybe feel a little safer.”

The record stated that police had not said whether DNA from one of the crime scenes, either Ridgeway’s Westminster neighborhood or Ketner Lake, helped lead them to a suspect.

Trevor Materasso said: “The home that you see is in and around the area that law enforcement have been working since the beginning of the investigation,”

Governor John Hickenlooper’s released statement included: “Every parent in every Colorado community will rest a little easier tonight. While we still mourn the death of Jessica Ridgeway, we are relieved an arrest has been made and the pursuit of justice can continue. We are especially grateful today to law enforcement officers at all levels for their quick action in this case.”

The record stated that all samples taken up to that point had been voluntarily donated by people contacted during the canvass; it said samples fell into several categories, including people contacted near where Ridgeway’s neighborhood was searched and those who were on cellphones at the time of the disappearance, and those who fit descriptions of 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 with light skin and brown hair. It also stated that 500 samples had been taken.

Confession and statements

The record included that on Oct. 23, Mindy Sigg called police after Austin Sigg confessed to her that he had kidnapped and killed Jessica Ridgeway, and that she handed the phone to her son Austin who confessed to killing Jessica.

In the 911 call excerpt, Mindy Sigg said: “Hi, um, I need you to come to my house … um, my son wants to turn himself in for the Jessica Ridgeway murder.”

The dispatcher said: “And what’s going on there. Ma’am, are you there?”

Mindy Sigg said: “Did you not hear me? He just confessed to killing her.”

The dispatcher said: “I know. I want you to tell me what’s going on. Can you tell me exactly what he said?”

Mindy Sigg said: “That he did it and gave me details and her remains are in my house.”

When police were dispatched, the call taker asked if she could speak to Austin and asked how he was feeling. Austin Sigg said: “I don’t exactly get why you’re asking me these questions. I murdered Jessica Ridgeway.”

The dispatcher said: “Okay.”

Austin Sigg said: “There is … I have proof that I did it … there is no other question. You just have to send a squad car, something down here.”

Austin Sigg also admitted to attacking a jogger at Ketner Lake. When asked if he had weapons, Austin Sigg said: “I have knives in my room, um, and we own a few guns, but … I’m giving myself up completely, there will be no resistance whatsoever.”

The dispatcher said: “Is Austin still there with you?”

Mindy Sigg said: “Yeah, I’m hugging him (crying).”

The dispatcher said: “Okay, you guys are hugging? … Okay, you definitely did the right thing. You tell me when the officers get there, they’re coming to your front door, okay?”

The record stated that in the preliminary hearing, Detective Albert Stutson testified that Sigg got on the phone after his mother called to report him and said, “I murdered Jessica Ridgeway. I have proof that I did it. You should send a squad car down here. I’ll answer all the questions. I won’t resist.”

Detective Michael Lynch testified that Sigg told his mother: “I’m a monster.”

Austin Sigg told investigators: “There is no better word to describe what I have done than evil.”

Trial and plea

Austin Sigg pleaded guilty to all counts against him in October, including first-degree murder in Jessica’s death and attempted kidnapping for an attack on a jogger at Ketner Lake in May 2012.

The record stated that Sigg pleaded guilty to 15 counts, including first-degree murder, sexual assault of a child, and attempted kidnapping for Jessica’s death, and an attack on a female jogger in May 2012.

It stated that Sigg pleaded guilty against the advice of his attorneys and that he could be sent to prison for the rest of his life.

The record stated that prosecutors said Sigg entered the pleas because of overwhelming evidence, and that Sigg’s trial would have started Thursday.

Jefferson County District Attorney Peter Weir said after the hearing: “The writing was on the wall,”

District Attorney Pete Weir said: “Today Austin Sigg was held accountable for the despicable things he’s done and the horrors he perpetrated on our community,”

Defense attorney Mitch Ahnstedt told the court that Sigg was entering the pleas against his attorneys’ counsel but did not explain why.

Sigg’s father Rob Sigg said in a statement: “We ask the community to continue to support the Ridgeway family and keep them in your thoughts and prayers,” and: “we were thankful that the Ridgeway family would be spared the ordeal of a trial.”

The record stated that Sigg spoke only to answer the judge’s questions about whether he understood what he was agreeing to.

During the preliminary hearing described in the record, prosecutors dismissed two additional charges and Sigg was bound over for trial on 18 of 20 counts relating to Jessica’s death and an attack on a jogger at Ketner Lake.

The record also stated that Sigg didn’t admit he kidnapped, strangled and dismembered Ridgeway until a neighbor called a tip line Oct. 19 and gave police the lead they needed to solve the case.

The preliminary hearing narrative stated that four days after he submitted DNA, after he confessed, he chided authorities for taking so long to process the DNA and said they should have brought in more resources.

Sentencing

The sentencing hearing took place over two days in Jefferson County District Court, and Sigg was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.

The record stated that because Sigg was 17 when he killed Jessica, the first-degree murder charge carried an automatic sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

Chief Judge Stephen Munsinger imposed the maximum sentence for several of the 15 counts, ensuring Sigg would never leave prison. The record described that Munsinger ordered Sigg to serve an additional 86 years after he becomes eligible for parole.

Munsinger rejected defense attorneys’ arguments that such a sentence was unconstitutional or cruel and unusual punishment.

Munsinger said: “Evil is apparently real,”

Munsinger said: “It was present in our community on Oct. 5, 2012. On that day, its name was Austin Sigg.”

Munsinger said: “This case cries out for a life sentence,”

District Attorney Pete Weir said after the hearing: “The damage, the hurt, the loss remains,” and: “We hope for closure for families but at times I think that’s a hollow term.”

Weir added: “The full weight of the law has come to bear on Austin Sigg. It’s not enough. More is needed, but it’s all we can do.”

Hal Sargent made statements describing Jessica’s last hours alive.

Christine Ridgeway said: “I miss her with every breath,”

Christine Ridgeway said: “There are no more hugs or kisses or her little toes digging into mine on the couch.”

Christine Ridgeway said: “This monster took away the light, at least in my life,” and: “I would like to know that Mr. Sigg is in a very small cell for the rest of his life.”

Sarah Ridgeway said: “I don’t think the defendant has a right to hear how he has affected me,” and: “Once we walk out of this courtroom, we will no longer remember his name, only the legacy Jessica left behind.”

Angie Moss said: “I can’t imagine being his mother, trying to live with the fact that I raised a child like that, to live with or know that I had raised a child that was capable of doing this,” and: “I can’t imagine the damage that has been done to his mother.”

Hal Sargent said: “It’s painful to imagine what he did to her in that time,”

Hal Sargent said: “We know he sexually assaulted her.”

Hal Sargent said: “It was present in our community on Oct. 5, 2012.

Hal Sargent said: “Perhaps Austin Sigg’s words are best,” and: “There is no better word to describe what I have done than evil.”

The record also included that Sigg declined to speak during his two-day sentencing hearing.

Appeals

The record stated that the Colorado Supreme Court reversed an order by Munsinger closing the preliminary hearing, and that several media organizations challenged the ruling because Munsinger did not follow the law before closing the hearing.

Outcome

Austin Sigg was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years on November 19, 2013.

Munsinger ordered Sigg to serve an additional 86 years after he becomes eligible for parole.

The sentencing involved maximum allowable time for most of the charges.

The sentencing record stated that Sigg pleaded guilty in October to all counts against him.

Aftermath

The record described that law enforcement, prosecutors and Jessica’s family exchanged hugs and wiped away tears after the sentencing.

Jessica’s family declined to speak with reporters after the hearing, and Hal Sargent said the family hoped the community would not remember Jessica for the way she died but for how she lived.

Hal Sargent said: “He stole from Jessica her future,” and: “Not only everything she was but everything she would be.”

The record stated that Sigg wept in court as images of Jessica, smiling behind her purple glasses, flashed before him.

Defense attorneys presented, for the first time, a glimpse into Sigg’s childhood with a slide show that included photos of Sigg as a baby and smiling child.

The record stated that defense attorneys presented experts and arguments that Sigg was not mature enough or able to completely understand his actions, while prosecutors maintained Sigg meticulously planned before he went “hunting” for the woman at Ketner Lake, and Jessica four months later.

Hal Sargent said: “It’s a chilling thought to think of what a fully matured Austin Sigg is capable of,”

Other details

The record stated that Sigg was 18 at the time of sentencing hearing reporting, and 17 at the time of the crime.

The record stated that Jessica Ridgeway left home to walk to school in Westminster on Oct. 5, 2012, and never arrived.

It stated that a fifth-grader who loved purple and performing in a peewee cheerleading squad left home to walk to school.

It stated that hundreds of people helped search for her.

It stated that Jessica’s backpack was found two days later in Superior, and that days after that, human remains later identified as Jessica’s were found in a park.

It stated that police on Oct. 10 ruled out Ridgeway’s parents as being involved in Jessica’s disappearance and that police said Ridgeway may have been abducted by an unknown suspect.

It stated that late on Oct. 11 Jessica’s body was found in Arvada on Highway near Pattridge Park Open Space and Highway 93, about seven miles from Ridgeway’s home.

It stated that Sigg dropped out of high school after the 11th grade and later earned a graduate equivalency diploma.

Former classmates said he was intelligent but complained about school and was bullied for having a high voice.

The record stated that when asked about his criminal record on the 911 call, Sigg told the dispatcher: “The only other thing that I have done was the Ketner Lake incident where the woman got attacked. That was me.”

It stated that psychologists and experts testified about Sigg’s access to pornography and planned behavior, including that Salter said viewing violent child pornography was part of Sigg’s meticulous planning and calculated, callous behavior.

Salter said: “This was not an impulse he had and then felt horrible about later,”