On a fall day in 1985, the discovery of a woman's body in a Denver alley began a mystery that would endure for decades. Sonya Richardson, a 37-year-old Black female, was found on October 4, 1985, in the 1600 block of Verbena Street. She had been shot to death, and her case was immediately classified as a homicide.
The initial investigation into Richardson's death did not lead to any arrests, and as time passed with no new leads, her case grew cold.
The Denver Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects in connection with her murder. The circumstances surrounding her final moments and the motive for her killing remain unknown to the public.
Decades later, Sonya Richardson's case is still listed among the city's unsolved homicides. Law enforcement continues to seek information from the public, hoping that someone will come forward with the key piece of evidence that could bring a resolution to this long-standing case and provide answers for her family. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Denver Police Department or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
