In the quiet mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a beloved community member, 71-year-old Larry Fisher, fell victim to a senseless act of violence. The owner of the popular Ski and Bow Rack, Fisher was a well-respected businessman and an avid outdoorsman who had been a pillar of the community for decades. On the evening of Sunday, March 11, 2018, while at his shop, Fisher interrupted a burglary in progress.
The confrontation took a tragic turn when the intruder shot him in the chest.
Emergency services responded, and Fisher was airlifted to a trauma center in Lakewood, Colorado, in a desperate attempt to save his life. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries in the early morning hours of Monday, March 12, 2018. His passing sent shockwaves through the close-knit community, leaving friends, family, and residents grappling with the loss of a man described as a dreamer, adventurer, and a friend to all.
The investigation into Fisher's murder was swift. The Pagosa Springs Police Department, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, quickly identified a person of interest through surveillance footage from the scene. The suspect was identified as Michael Moats, a resident of Pagosa Springs. A crucial piece of evidence, a face mask left behind by the perpetrator, was collected and sent for DNA analysis. Moats voluntarily provided a DNA sample to investigators but was not immediately arrested.
As the investigation progressed, a search warrant was executed at a residence where Moats had been staying. Evidence, including a handgun consistent with the weapon used in the murder, was recovered. However, before an arrest could be made, investigators were notified that Moats had apparently taken his own life in New Mexico. The subsequent DNA results confirmed a match between Moats' DNA and the sample found on the mask from the crime scene. With this definitive evidence, the Pagosa Springs Police Department concluded that Michael Moats was the sole perpetrator in the murder of Larry Fisher.
