On a tragic day in March 2017, the lives of two teenagers were violently cut short in a quiet area south of Fountain, Colorado. The body of 15-year-old Derek Benjamin Greer, a male student from Coronado High School, was discovered on the side of Old Pueblo Road near Pikes Peak International Raceway on the morning of March 12th. Alongside him was his best friend, 16-year-old Natalie Partida. Both had been shot at point-blank range in what authorities would later describe as a brutal and premeditated double homicide.
The investigation into the deaths of Derek and Natalie quickly unfolded, revealing a chilling story of abduction and murder. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the two teenagers were taken at gunpoint and driven to the remote location where their lives were ended. The shocking nature of the crime, particularly given the young ages of the victims, sent ripples of fear and grief through the Colorado Springs community. Friends and family remembered Derek as a young man with a contagious laugh and a beautiful smile, whose presence could light up any room.
A significant break in the case came with the arrest of several individuals. One of the primary suspects, Diego Chacon, was eventually tried and sentenced to 65 years in prison for his role in the killings. Another suspect, Gustavo Marquez, then 19, was also taken into custody and faced charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and child abuse resulting in death. The investigation grew to include numerous other suspects, with arrests and charges varying from direct involvement in the murders to accessory roles. Among those charged were Joseph Arthur Rodriquez, Marco Antonio Garcia-Bravo, and Alexandra Marie Romero, who faced counts including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Others, like Angelita Prado and Alander Jordon Wilson, were arrested on related charges such as kidnapping and attempting to influence a public official. The extensive investigation pointed to a coordinated and ruthless act that led to the untimely deaths of two promising young friends.
