In the spring of 2023, the quiet surroundings of the Woolly Mammoth Park-N-Ride in Golden, Colorado, became the scene of a grim discovery. On April 14th, a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy on a routine patrol noticed a recreational vehicle with its door ajar. Inside, authorities found the body of 57-year-old Matthew Hire, who had been fatally shot. While his body was discovered in mid-April, the investigation determined that Hire had likely been killed weeks earlier, sometime between March 25th and March 26th. It was noted by a witness that Hire had been living in his RV at the Park-N-Ride.
The investigation into the death of Matthew Hire led to the arrest of 50-year-old Donald Leroy Harris, who was identified as an acquaintance of the victim. Investigators learned that Harris was aware that Hire had recently received a substantial financial settlement from a motorcycle accident. In fact, Harris had accompanied Hire to the bank when he withdrew $15,000 to purchase the RV. Authorities also uncovered that Harris had been the last person seen with Hire. A significant amount of evidence connected Harris to the crime scene. His personal documents were found inside Hire's RV.
Following the discovery of Hire's body, Donald Leroy Harris was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. The evidence against him was substantial. At the time of a separate and unrelated arrest on March 26th, Harris was found to be in possession of Hire's cell phone, the keys to his RV, and his Jeep. Furthermore, forensic analysis revealed Hire's blood on Harris's clothing. The murder weapon was later discovered inside Hire's Jeep, which Harris had been using. DNA from both Harris and Hire was found on the weapon. Prosecutors argued for a $2 million bond for Harris, citing the severity of the charges and his extensive criminal history.
