Cold case of Colorado mother found dead on gravel road remains unsolved 50 years later

WELD COUNTY, Colo. (TCN) — Authorities continue to investigate the cold case of a mother from nearly five decades ago who was supposed to board a bus home with her son but was found dead instead.

In a June 24 news release, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office shared details about the case. Approximately 50 years ago, on June 24, 1975, Marjorie Fithian and her 18-month-old son were supposed to return home to Greeley from a family visit in Denver, but they never made it onto the bus.

Later that morning, Fithian was discovered deceased on a gravel road around 50 miles away from Denver with a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities said her son was found clutching his mother’s hand near broken glass, but he was unharmed. A ranch hand made the discovery and called for help.

Despite investigators’ extensive effort over the decades, no arrests have been made. The sheriff’s office said there have been many theories ranging from “serial killers to drug conspiracies, but none have been substantiated.”

Fithian allegedly had a history of marijuana use, and “a local drug dealer falsely claimed involvement, only to retract his statement later.”

Authorities have also “considered the possibility of her hitchhiking or being targeted by an unknown assailant, but these leads never panned out.”

Fithian’s son is reportedly 50 years old and doesn’t recall the incident. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information regarding Fithian’s death to reach out.

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