CO - Kate Rafferty Petrocco, 36, mysterious death, Brighton, 14 July 2019

[Lore Listener]

Young mother found dead in her home just days before her divorce from a prominent farmer with a wealthy, connected family was to be finalized. He was currently on probation for DV against her, and had been arrested for DV on two other occasions against two previous wives. Police initially ruled the death a suicide--until the victim's family began speaking out. To complicate matters, the victim had dated the local District Attorney. A lot of people in Colorado would like to see outside spotlight on this one; something isn't right.

What happened to Kate Petrocco?

Adams County DA had “romantic relationship” with victim advocate who died last month, court record says

Family of Kathleen Petrocco calls for independent death investigation

Family questions death of Adams County victim's advocate

Petrocco family defends son, refutes domestic violence allegations

 

[Rocky Mountain Mama]

I went to high school with Kate and her sister. She was the homecoming queen, a strong leader, very kind and popular. I have all good memories of her. The details I've heard from my circle of friends from high school has been beyond disturbing.

Really surprised this case isn't getting a lot more attention! It has ALL the makings of a Dateline or 20/20 episode with lots of twists and turns. Very sad, so tragic, so infuriating.

 

[Lore Listener]

I went to high school with Kate and her sister. She was the homecoming queen, a strong leader, very kind and popular. I have all good memories of her. The details I've heard from my circle of friends from high school has been beyond disturbing.

Really surprised this case isn't getting a lot more attention! It has ALL the makings of a Dateline or 20/20 episode with lots of twists and turns. Very sad, so tragic, so infuriating.

Thank you, @Rocky Mountain Mama! I'm posting the obituary (hope that's allowed... if not please delete) to remind everyone what a wonderful person has been lost and hopefully stir up some interest in this heartbreaking case.

View Kathleen Petrocco's Obituary and express your condolences

 

[mocity]

I am so glad this thread was started. I have been following this like crazy on facebook and in the media. I agree very sad, tragic and infuriating. No cause of death 45 days out?

 

[Lore Listener]

Good, in-depth article in the Westword today. Let's not let this story fade until we get answers!

"“This morning, he threatened to kill himself and me,” she declared in a motion for a civil protection order prepared that afternoon in a meeting with a divorce attorney in downtown Denver. “He said that either he or I would die if I tried to divorce him.”

On her way back to Brighton, she called her father and reported that David was following her on I-76. Rafferty instructed her to call police and drive to his house. (Rafferty says he also received a boozy call from David, demanding his children.)

At the Rafferty house, Kate provided deputies with a more detailed account of what happened the night before. She said that she’d locked herself in the bathroom, but David forced his way in and grabbed her by the arm, causing her pain. She showed them a photo on her phone of the smashed TV."

Did the Justice System She Worked for Fail Kate Petrocco?

 

[mocity]

I have been following her sister on facebook. She is doing an amazing job. Kate deserves justice

 

[Lore Listener]

New Colorado Sun article:

Kate Petrocco’s death ruled a suicide by Adams County coroner

Keep checking this one because it says: "This is a developing story that will be updated."

Keep sharing this tragic, mysterious story so Kate's family can reach a critical mass of interest and pressure on Adams County, get the answers they deserve, and hold accountable those who have done wrong.

 

[Lore Listener]

"The Adams County Coroner's Office confirmed Tuesday that Kate Petrocco, whose death in July caused her family speak out about domestic violence, died as a result of suicide." Channel 9News in Denver broke the story of the ruling.

Coroner: Kate Petrocco's death ruled as suicide

This is the coroner's ruling: death by hanging, as a result of suicide. I have a feeling the family will comment, and that they will want an unbiased, external investigation, but that is MOO. Additionally, even if this ruling is accurate, where is the accountability for everyone who allowed this young mother to be hounded while her abuser was coddled and protected, until she believed the only way out was death?

 

[claudianunes]

It's probably not a great idea for her children to be with the dude that was so terrible to her that she killed herself. I don't know if he has custody as of right now, just saying that it's probably not the way to go. I haven't followed the case, but are there sketchy details about it? Is this a situation like Rebecca Zahau's?

 

[mocity]

From what I understand from the articles the kids (twins) are with the Dad and her parents are fighting to be able to see them.

 

[Lore Listener]

It's probably not a great idea for her children to be with the dude that was so terrible to her that she killed herself. I don't know if he has custody as of right now, just saying that it's probably not the way to go. I haven't followed the case, but are there sketchy details about it? Is this a situation like Rebecca Zahau's?

Yes, some similarities and sketchy details, for sure. Divorce was about to be finalized giving her half custody and half the assets (millions). She had dated the county DA during her separation, and her husband was so embedded with the local power brokers that when he got arrested for DV against her, the cops took him to a hotel instead of jail. He had also been arrested for DV against his two previous wives. And, as learned with Rebecca Zahau, hanging and strangulation are awfully hard to differentiate.

@mocity is correct, the kids are with the dad and he won't let them contact anyone in their deceased mother's family.

 

[claudianunes]

Yes, some similarities and sketchy details, for sure. Divorce was about to be finalized giving her half custody and half the assets (millions). She had dated the county DA during her separation, and her husband was so embedded with the local power brokers that when he got arrested for DV against her, the cops took him to a hotel instead of jail. He had also been arrested for DV against his two previous wives. And, as learned with Rebecca Zahau, hanging and strangulation are awfully hard to differentiate.

@mocity is correct, the kids are with the dad and he won't let them contact anyone in their deceased mother's family.

A whole mess. Was she getting millions for real?

 

[Marysmith]

Gosh what a sad case! And completely closed I assume… it must be so hard for Kate’s family that they never see her children.

 

[Lore Listener]

Gosh what a sad case! And completely closed I assume… it must be so hard for Kate’s family that they never see her children.

Three years after the death of an Adams County woman under what her family says were suspicious circumstances, public officials are taking notice of her family’s request for an independent investigation.

This is the most recent MSM info as of Nov. 2022. Maybe I could try to become a verified insider to post updates I have received directly from the family? This whole thing is so sad and it feels like bad people are just flat out getting away with really bad things.

Three years after Kate Petrocco's death, public officials say they would support a new investigation

Three years after the death of an Adams County woman under what her family says were suspicious circumstances, public officials are taking notice of her family’s request for an independent

denvergazette.com

 

[Marysmith]

Three years after the death of an Adams County woman under what her family says were suspicious circumstances, public officials are taking notice of her family’s request for an independent investigation.

This is the most recent MSM info as of Nov. 2022. Maybe I could try to become a verified insider to post updates I have received directly from the family? This whole thing is so sad and it feels like bad people are just flat out getting away with really bad things.

Three years after Kate Petrocco's death, public officials say they would support a new investigation

Three years after the death of an Adams County woman under what her family says were suspicious circumstances, public officials are taking notice of her family’s request for an independent

denvergazette.com

I’m so sorry.