On a tragic evening in Flagstaff, Arizona, a 34-year-old woman named Jessica Biakeddy lost her life. On June 23, 2020, police responded to calls of multiple gunshots in the 200 block of West High Country Trail shortly after 11 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jessica lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services were rendered at the scene, and she was quickly transported to Flagstaff Medical Center, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was
pronounced dead.
Jessica, who was from Gilbert, had been passing through Flagstaff with her boyfriend, 29-year-old Justin Colorado of Tuba City. According to a relative, the couple had been arguing through text messages for most of the day. The conflict escalated after a trip to Slide Rock, during which Colorado had been drinking. Later, at her sister's house, with Colorado waiting in the car, Jessica ended the relationship. Soon after she came outside and broke up with him, Colorado pulled out a gun and shot her ten times, with the final shot being to her face at close range.
Following the shooting, an immediate search for Justin Colorado began. A witness reported seeing him leave the scene in a vehicle. The next day, law enforcement located him near Native Route 21 on the Navajo Nation, and he was taken into custody without incident by the Navajo Police. It was also discovered during the investigation that Colorado was allegedly involved in another shooting in the Tuba City/Kaibeto area.
Justin Colorado was charged with the murder of Jessica Biakeddy. In May 2022, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. Following his conviction, he faced the possibility of life in prison.
