In the early morning hours of April 11, 1973, the city of Denver was yet to awaken to the tragic discovery that lay at the edge of a road. It was employees of a gas station situated near West 7th Avenue and Navajo Street who first observed a body and promptly alerted the authorities. Police arriving at the scene initiated an investigation that would soon uncover the identity of the deceased as Bernard Smith, a 35-year-old white male.
Further examination by the Denver Police Department
revealed that Smith had been the victim of a homicide, having been shot to death. Despite the efforts of law enforcement at the time, the individual or individuals responsible for his murder were never identified. The case grew cold, leaving a lingering mystery and an unresolved loss for those who knew him.
Decades later, the case of Bernard Smith remains an open wound in the city's history. Law enforcement continues to seek information that could finally shed light on the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. The suspect or suspects responsible for this violent act have managed to evade justice for over fifty years, leaving a void of answers and a family without closure. The Denver Police Department's Cold Case Unit still holds out hope that a crucial piece of information will emerge, leading to the arrest and prosecution of those who cut short the life of Bernard Smith.
