DENVER (KDVR) — Official charges have been filed against a man suspected of a series of alleged criminal actions that included killing a pregnant woman in Brighton.
James Benavidez, 50, was arrested on Aug. 28 after allegedly trying to carjack someone at a Murphy Express gas station while armed, before going to his ex-girlfriend’s house and ultimately stealing her vehicle.
Police said he used that vehicle to elude police before he was taken into custody. Police also said he fired at pursuing officers, and they returned fire.
On Aug. 29, police found an abandoned vehicle in the 200 block of North 6th Avenue and found Keeley Koff, a woman who was reportedly pregnant, dead inside from an apparent gunshot wound. Police said that Koff and Benavidez were associated with one another, but didn’t specify their relationship.
Benavidez is now facing the following charges for his alleged actions on Aug. 28:
- First-degree murder
- Eight counts of attempted first-degree murder
- First-degree unlawful termination of a pregnancy
- Six counts of first-degree assault
- Two counts of first-degree motor vehicle theft
- Three counts of attempted aggravated robbery
- Second-degree assault
- Vehicular eluding
- Possession of a weapon by a previous offender
- Two counts of crime of violence, which are sentence-enhancing charges
Benavidez is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8 for this case.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
