Who murdered Mark E. Groezinger in 1984?
On the morning of April 7, 1984, the serene setting of the Mother Cabrini Shrine near Golden, Colorado, was disturbed by a grim discovery. A passerby noticed a blue and white 1973 Buick parked oddly on the roadside and, upon closer inspection, found the body of 29-year-old Mark Groezinger inside the vehicle. The tranquil scene had become a crime scene overnight. Mr. Groezinger, a concrete cutter from the area, had been shot multiple times in what investigators would describe as a crime of passion and rage.
Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies arriving at the scene found Mr. Groezinger in the front seat of his car. The driver's side window was shattered, and numerous shell casings were found both inside and outside the vehicle, indicating the shooter may have reloaded at least twice. Despite the violent nature of the attack, robbery was quickly ruled out as a motive, as Mark's wallet, containing his money, was left untouched. Curiously, however, his keys and some jewelry were missing from the car. Investigators also discovered a paper bag containing. 38 caliber bullets on the floorboard of the car.
The investigation soon turned towards Mark Groezinger's personal life, with his wife, Judy Groezinger, becoming a person of interest. Investigators learned that just three days prior to her husband's murder, Judy had purchased a. 38 caliber handgun from a local pawn shop. When questioned, she initially failed to disclose this purchase but later stated she had forgotten. Her account of the night of the murder also raised suspicions. She claimed that after having dinner with a friend, Mark had dropped her and the friend off at their home around 8:30 p.m. and had then left to play pool at a local bar. However, witnesses reported seeing Judy with an unidentified man at both the pawnshop where the gun was purchased and at a liquor store.
Despite the circumstantial evidence and inconsistencies in her story, Judy Groezinger was never charged in connection with her husband's death. She maintained her innocence throughout the investigation and reportedly passed a lie detector test. The substantial life insurance policy on her husband was also a point of interest for investigators. With no other clear leads or suspects, the murder of Mark Groezinger became a cold case, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a killer who has never been brought to justice.
