In the spring of 2014, the life of 37-year-old Daniel Baird was tragically cut short in what would be ruled a homicide. On May 3rd, Baird was found shot to death inside a home in Security-Widefield, a community near Colorado Springs. The residence where his body was discovered was well-known in the area for a distinctive large spaceship decoration on its roof.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office swiftly began an investigation into the shooting, which marked the first homicide in unincorporated El Paso County that year.
The investigation led to the arrest of three men in connection with Baird's murder. Michael Malory, 59 at the time, was taken into custody the day after Baird's body was found and was charged with first-degree murder. Two other men, Brian Springsted and Nathan Varnadore, were also arrested in connection to the crime. The details surrounding the motive for the shooting were not immediately released by the authorities as they proceeded with their investigation and the subsequent legal proceedings.
The path to justice for Daniel Baird was lengthy and complex. Brian Springsted was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder on November 26, 2014. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 16 years. Michael Malory faced two trials. In his first, he was found not guilty of first-degree murder, but the jury could not reach a verdict on the second-degree murder charge. A new trial on that charge began in late September 2015, and on October 7, 2015, the jury convicted him. In January 2016, Malory was sentenced to 48 years in prison for his role in Daniel Baird's death.
Daniel Baird was remembered as a loving father, son, brother, and friend. He was the owner of Saints and Sinners Custom Auto Body Shop and was passionate about customizing cars and motorcycles. His obituary described him as having a big heart and being someone who would go out of his way to help people, leaving behind a son and a grieving family who deeply felt his loss.
