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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office aids in Denver homicide

John Gardner
Post Independent Staff

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – A homicide investigation has led the Denver Police Department to Garfield County.

The Denver Police Department says that the body of a man suspected to have been murdered in Denver may have been dumped in the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon.

A missing person investigation began on March 29 for Hae C. Park, 65. Park was last seen on March 27 when he was supposed to meet with his business partner, Joong Rhee at Rhee’s office in Denver, according to a press release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.



On April 5, Adams County Sheriff’s Office detectives discovered what appeared to be a crime scene at Rhee’s office and contacted the Denver Police Department. No details were released as to why investigators determined Rhee’s office to be a crime scene.

The investigation led to a search of the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon between Grizzly Creek and No Name after detectives recovered evidence that suggested that Park’s body may have been dumped in the area.



On April 15, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team assisted the Denver Police Department in searching the section of the river, according to Phil Strouse, community relations deputy with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. However, Park’s body was not found.

Denver Police Department Public Information Officer Sonny Jackson confirmed Tuesday that the search for Park’s body continues. No further information was available on why police believe Park’s body may be in the Glenwood Canyon area.

Regardless, the Denver District Attorney’s Office formally charged Joong Rhee, 67, with first-degree murder on April 16. Rhee remains in the Denver County Jail where he is being held without bond.

According to Strouse, the April 15 search of the river is not connected to the May 5 search and recovery mission that occurred near the No Name section of the Colorado River.

“We have nothing to indicate that the two incidents are related,” Strouse said.

That search was conducted after two women reported seeing two men floating in the river.

The Denver Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this investigation or the location of Park’s body, call the DPD at (720) 913-2000, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

This is the third murder-related investigation in which the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is currently involved. The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the murder of Sabrina Bebb-Jones, a Grand Junction woman whose body was dumped near Douglas Pass in Western Garfield County. Bebb-Jones’ husband at the time of her death, Marcus Bebb-Jones, was charged in the alleged murder of his wife and is currently awaiting extradition from England.

The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the case of Janine Anne Johler of Aurora. Johler’s remains were found in an apple orchard near Canyon Creek in June 2009. Authorities have not arrested any suspects in that case.

jgardner@postindependent.com


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