An aspiring female rapper is gunned down in east Denver On the evening of March 24, 2015, 21-year-old Rachel Aboytes was fatally shot in Denver, Colorado. The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of East 16th Avenue and North Valentia Street. Aboytes, an aspiring rap artist known by the name 'Baby Smiley,' was with another woman when gunfire erupted. While Aboytes suffered multiple gunshot wounds, the other woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency responders transported Aboytes to a nearby hospital, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation into Rachel Aboytes's death was immediately launched by the Denver Police Department. Authorities suspected the shooting to be gang-related, a theory supported by the nature of the crime and the area's history of gang violence. Despite appeals to the public for information, the investigation faced significant challenges. A pervasive 'code of silence' and fear of retaliation within the community made it difficult for law enforcement to gather crucial witness testimony and evidence. This lack of cooperation from potential witnesses hindered the swift identification and apprehension of those responsible for her death.
In the years following the shooting, the case of Rachel Aboytes's murder has remained unsolved, and no arrests have been publicly announced. Despite the passage of time, the Denver Police Department has continued its efforts to bring justice for Aboytes and her family. The case is considered a cold case, but investigators periodically review leads and encourage anyone with information to come forward. The absence of a resolution has left her family and the community with lingering questions and a profound sense of loss, continually advocating for an end to the violence that claimed her life.
