206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Description
See any errors? Let us know!Joseph Michael Ervin: A Detailed Account of His Crimes
Early Life and First Crime
Joseph Michael Ervin, born on June 25, 1951, in Fort Worth, Texas, began his criminal activities at a young age. On August 9, 1969, at the age of 17, Ervin committed his first known murder. He shot 21-year-old Rodney Gene Bonham in the neck near the Berry Bowl bowling alley in Fort Worth. Bonham succumbed to his injuries four days later.Crimes in Colorado
After fleeing to Colorado and changing his name to Joe Michael Erwing, Ervin continued his criminal activities. Between 1970 and 1977, he was repeatedly charged with offenses such as burglary, rape, and assault with a deadly weapon, but was found not guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility.Victims
- Rodney Gene Bonham - August 9, 1969, Fort Worth, Texas
- Madeleine Furey-Livaudais - December 7, 1978, Denver, Colorado
- Delores Barajas - 1980, Denver, Colorado
- Gwendolyn Harris - December 1980, Denver, Colorado
- Antoinette Parks - January 24, 1981, Denver, Colorado
- Debra Sue Corr - 1981, Denver, Colorado
Victims
See any mistakes? Let us know!
Confirmed Victims: (6)
Rodney Gene Bonham Age: (21), Date of Death: August 9, 1969 ...View 5 additional victims
Survivors:Glenn Joseph Spies Age: (19), Date of Attack: June 27, 1981
Survivors:
Links to Additional Sources (10)
See any mistakes? Let us know!Killer's Details
Joseph Michael
Ervin
June 25, 1951 Fort Worth, Texas, United States
July 1, 1981 (aged 30) Brighton, Colorado, United States
Suicide by hanging
Joe Michael Erwing
Male
Black
6
1969 & 1978 - 1981
Texas, Colorado
Fort Worth (TX), Denver (CO), Aurora (CO)
June 27, 1981
Adams County Jail
07/03/2025









