CO - Kara Nichols, 19, Colorado Springs, 9 Oct 2012, found deceased 2022 *arrest*

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I somehow was never aware of this case until I read the other day that Kara's remains had been found, but after going back and reading the entire thread, what strikes me most is how little effort local LE put into finding this young woman, from the very beginning. This case should have been solved relatively easily, but LE apparently decided early on that she was not worthy of the time it would take to do the very job that they are paid to do. So instead, their actions, or inactions, caused her family to have to live a nightmare every day for almost ten years! I am relieved that Kara has finally been found, and that her family can now give her a proper burial, and I hope that in addition to her murderer, that his mother who knew and never spoke up, even as human remains lay buried on her land, and the ex-wife who didn't speak up for 8 years, both should face charges as well, and I pray that Kara's family can find comfort in knowing that she has finally been found, and that at last, someone is going to be held accountable for her senseless death. JMO
 
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SteveP said:
I somehow was never aware of this case until I read the other day that Kara's remains had been found, but after going back and reading the entire thread, what strikes me most is how little effort local LE put into finding this young woman, from the very beginning. This case should have been solved relatively easily, but LE apparently decided early on that she was not worthy of the time it would take to do the very job that they are paid to do. So instead, their actions, or inactions, caused her family to have to live a nightmare every day for almost ten years! I am relieved that Kara has finally been found, and that her family can now give her a proper burial, and I hope that in addition to her murderer, that his mother who knew and never spoke up, even as human remains lay buried on her land, and the ex-wife who didn't speak up for 8 years, both should face charges as well, and I pray that Kara's family can find comfort in knowing that she has finally been found, and that at last, someone is going to be held accountable for her senseless death. JMO
Click to expand...
100% agreed
 
SteveP said:
This case should have been solved relatively easily, but LE apparently decided early on that she was not worthy of the time it would take to do the very job that they are paid to do. So instead, their actions, or inactions, caused her family to have to live a nightmare every day for almost ten years!
Click to expand...

What make you draw this conclusion ?
 
marsyao said:
What make you draw this conclusion ?
Click to expand...

Largely because her phone logs showed several calls to him late that evening, and her phone stopped pinging for the last time pretty much at his parents' address, where he lived. If LE had been more diligent in interrogating him early on, this probably would not have taken 10 years to solve. He had an extensive criminal history, including at least 5 felonies, but they apparently took him at his word that although he often used escorts, and called her because she was one, he didn't use her. It was two years later before the property was searched, and even though cadaver dogs were taken along, the mother claimed that several animals were buried on the property, so only one excavation was done, on a property across the street, and no more done until they finally were tipped off by a relative 8 years later. JMO

Affidavit reveals new details regarding Kara Nichols disappearance (koaa.com)
 
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This looks more likely that Police could not find a Judge that would sign a search warrant in 2012 based on what LE had at that time, all the LE had was that Hollendorfer was communicating with Kara that evening and Kara's cellphone was turned off near Hollendorfer's parent's house. If police had gave up Kara at the beginning, then how to explain the search warrant of 2014? It wold be interesting to know whether that warrant allowed the police to dig up Hollendorfer's parent's property
 
I followed this case pretty much from the beginning here on Websleuths. I just happened to login tonight for the first time in a long while and saw that not only has Kara been found but someone has even admitted to her murder. Her case was so strange and also a mess with nearly no information to glean or new breaks etc. Iirc the original investigator in her disappearance was replaced a few years later and/or another judge or DA was assigned? I can’t recall exactly but the ball was dropped early on. I’ll have to re-read through again from 2012-14 as don’t quite remember the minutiae/details.

Anyway, this news is so bittersweet, as another poster also said. Kara is one of a handful of victims/disappearances I often think about even a decade after. I am grateful her family can at least know what happened instead of left wondering in anguish forever. It should never have taken this long to find her, however.
RIP Kara. We never forgot about you. ❤️
 
An El Paso County man accused of strangling a teenage escort and burying her in the backyard of his parents' farm on top of a rotting horse carcass will plead not guilty to the charges next month, his attorney said Wednesday.

Joel Hollendorfer was scheduled to enter a plea this week, but defense attorney Jennifer Cox asked for a continuance to allow for more time on Hollendorfer's speedy trial clock, which is a defendant's right to a trial within six months of entering a plea.

Cox indicated that she expected the judge to set Hollendorfer's trial for June. Hollendorfer is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in the death of 19-year-old Kara Nichols, who was reported missing in October 2012.

[…]

Hollendorfer is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 8, and he is being held at the El Paso County jail without bond.

El Paso County man to plead not guilty in teen's strangulation death
 
Coming out of lurking to say that this case makes me absolutely sick. I live here in Colorado Springs. I am ashamed of our sheriff's department from that time. I cannot understand why this case doesn't get much/any coverage even here. This disgusting (JH the murderer)'s mother and ex-wife should face charges as well and as far as I can find, that is not happening. And I cannot for the life of me figure out WHY! What can be done to bring more attention to this case?? Anything? Are we here in Colorado Springs just resigned to the idea that current sheriff will protect previous sheriff?

Seriously, if anyone has any ideas...
 
www.fox21news.com

Kara Nichols’ alleged killer faces trial 10 years later

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — Nearly 11 years after 19-year-old Kara Nichols was originally reported missing, the man accused of killing her is in court this week to face charges in connection to her m…
www.fox21news.com www.fox21news.com

Advocates for Nichols said on Facebook that opening statements began in Hollendorfer’s murder trial on Tuesday morning, June 13, 2023. Hollendorfer faces multiple charges including First Degree Murder and Tampering With and Destroying Physical Evidence.
 
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