In the winter of 1988, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the life of 68-year-old Jamie Foster, a male military retiree, came to a violent and tragic end. On December 29, 1988, he was discovered in his home, having been fatally shot. An investigation revealed he had been shot twice, with one wound to the head. It was also apparent that robbery was a motive, as a safe was missing from his residence.
Detectives delving into Foster's life learned that he had been dating a younger woman named
Leone “Oni” Jones, who struggled with a crack cocaine addiction. The investigation into the homicide quickly focused on her and her potential associates. Authorities began to piece together the events leading to Foster's death, canvassing local pawn shops for any signs of the stolen property. Their efforts led them to Michael Parsons, who was found to have an unusual amount of cash.
Further investigation uncovered Foster's missing safe at Parsons' home. This discovery led to Parsons' arrest on charges of accessory to first-degree murder and third-degree burglary. With Parsons in custody, law enforcement issued a warrant for the arrest of Leone Jones. Not long after, she surrendered to the police, calling the department herself. Jones claimed she had fled to Kansas out of fear that the men who killed Foster would also target her. However, investigators were skeptical of her story, believing she was the primary architect of the crime, driven by a need for drug money.
Although Leone Jones initially denied her involvement during interrogations, the evidence against her was mounting. During her trial, she ultimately confessed to the crime. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in the death of Jamie Foster and was subsequently sentenced to 24 years in prison. The investigation concluded that Jones had gone to Foster's home with the intent to get money for drugs, a confrontation that tragically escalated to murder and the theft of his safe.
