In the cold of a Denver alley on December 7, 2020, the body of 30-year-old Jordan Patterson Jr. was discovered. Initially, the scene in the 4400 block of North Grove Street was investigated as an outdoor death. However, it soon became tragically clear that this was a homicide. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner would later confirm that Patterson died from a gunshot wound.
The grim discovery in the Berkeley neighborhood marked the beginning of an investigation that would quickly lead to two suspects.
The Denver Police Department worked diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding Patterson's death. Within days, their investigation pointed them toward two individuals. On December 11, just four days after Patterson's body was found, police arrested 24-year-old Janel Gallegos. A few days later, on December 14, 25-year-old Andrew Abeyta was also taken into custody. Both were arrested for investigation of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Jordan Patterson Jr. While the court documents related to their arrests were sealed, the apprehension of two suspects brought a swift development to the case.
Jordan Patterson Jr., born in Denver on October 12, 1990, was a father to two young daughters. He was remembered as a devoted parent who loved spending time with his children. His interests included working on cars, a passion that he turned into a profession at JM auto collisions. He was also known for his artistic side, enjoying writing and drawing. His family recalled his love for the outdoors, especially camping and fishing trips with his father. His life was cut short, leaving behind a grieving family and many unanswered questions.
