Denver man pleads guilty to killing his intimate partner of 10 years and kidnapping her grandson

DENVER (TCN) — A man will spend six decades behind bars for fatally shooting his girlfriend of 10 years before abducting her 2-year-old grandson, who was next to her at the time.

The Denver District Attorney’s Office announced March 11 that Clemente Flores-Hernandez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection with the death of his longtime girlfriend, 44-year-old Karol Bedoya. Flores-Hernandez subsequently received a sentence of 60 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

According to prosecutors, on Feb. 24, 2023, Flores-Hernandez fatally shot Bedoya at close range while she was sitting on her couch watching television near her 2-year-old grandson. Bedoya’s adult son heard the gunshots, ran up from the basement, and got into a physical fight with the defendant. Flores-Hernandez reportedly strangled the man until he collapsed.

The district attorney’s office said Flores-Hernandez then kidnapped the young boy, placed him in his vehicle, and drove off. The Colorado State Patrol and officials with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office took him into custody approximately 30 miles east of Denver following a high-speed chase.

According to a probable cause statement from the Denver Police Department, Flores-Hernandez exited the car with Bedoya’s grandson in his arms, and prosecutors said the boy was unharmed.

District attorney John Walsh said, “Karol Bedoya’s murder is yet another terrible reminder of the tragic toll domestic violence takes on our community and our families. We hope that today’s guilty plea and sentence provide some measure of comfort to Karol’s family and friends.” 

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