Found Deceased CO - Maggie Long, 17, suspicious house fire, Bailey, 1 Dec 2017
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TX - Shots fired, injuries reported at ICE facility in Dallas - Sept 24, 2025- Latest: Inthedetails
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Tragically I'm not sure that at this point this case will ever be formally solved (where LE can say: "okay, here's what happened"). Imo, two of the four perps are now dead (via the murder-suicide or double suicide that took place in the Mount Lindo Cemetery); and the other two are currently in jail on other charges (and I don't see them talking). I also think LE may have less direct evidence against the two still alive (though I don't know this to be a fact).
Perhaps the best chance for the case to be solved is if LE could recover the green safe or any of it's contents, or any gas cans, or anything else that may have been taken from the house, and connect those items to the two remaining suspects. Maybe if they can show that one or more of the suspects sought immediate medical treatment for burns?
I suppose there is also a slim chance that DNA, or prints, or hair fibers might still be found on something (a recovered vehicle, clothing, or something taken from the house). Too late though for things like fingerprints or DNA on a gate
And if useful digital evidence was available, I think we'd know by now, - but who knows, maybe LE is still seeking warrants, or awaiting forensic analysis/results from some device manufacturers or apps.
This is MOO, but I think the perps may have been RR, TS, WS, and IL. All were burglars, all were gun theives, at least two of the four were rapists, at least three of them lived within a mile of the Long's house, and at least three (I think..) went to the same HS as Maggie. I think when LE went to collect DNA samples from certain young locals - they had a pretty good idea about who was involved. But I also think that the investigation was tragically (and perhaps irredeemably) bungled early on.
I think ML just stumbled onto a burglary. It may have been a burglary that had an inside component to it (where the thieves where perhaps told how to get in, and told where the safe would be be and told that they had several hours in which to attempt to open the big safe before any family members were due back home, but I don't know. I think they may have tried to get ML to give them the combination to the safe (something I doubt she knew). I think ML may have recognized at least two, and possibly three of the perps. All Jmo.
I think there were several witnesses (including those who saw the van cross the road and possibly a second tenant in a different building than the main house who saw one or more of the killers. But I don't think any of them can place the suspects inside the house participating in the murder. Maybe the upstairs tenant could recognize a voice, but I don't think you could convict someone on that.
For a while I thought this might be an inside job (possibly a family member or the tenant repaying a gambling debt by "facilitating" or turning their back to allow robbery to take place), but I'm less convinced of that now. If it was an inside job, I suppose that might be a third way to maybe still crack the case. My current thinking is that the tenant ("RP") was not involved
It is a tragic and heart wrenching case. And it's infuriating to think that ML's killers may escape justice. There was no need for them to do what they did. She had walked in by mistake. I believe there's a special place in hell for people like them, and that they'll arrive there sooner or later. All jmo
Perhaps the best chance for the case to be solved is if LE could recover the green safe or any of it's contents, or any gas cans, or anything else that may have been taken from the house, and connect those items to the two remaining suspects. Maybe if they can show that one or more of the suspects sought immediate medical treatment for burns?
I suppose there is also a slim chance that DNA, or prints, or hair fibers might still be found on something (a recovered vehicle, clothing, or something taken from the house). Too late though for things like fingerprints or DNA on a gate
And if useful digital evidence was available, I think we'd know by now, - but who knows, maybe LE is still seeking warrants, or awaiting forensic analysis/results from some device manufacturers or apps.
This is MOO, but I think the perps may have been RR, TS, WS, and IL. All were burglars, all were gun theives, at least two of the four were rapists, at least three of them lived within a mile of the Long's house, and at least three (I think..) went to the same HS as Maggie. I think when LE went to collect DNA samples from certain young locals - they had a pretty good idea about who was involved. But I also think that the investigation was tragically (and perhaps irredeemably) bungled early on.
I think ML just stumbled onto a burglary. It may have been a burglary that had an inside component to it (where the thieves where perhaps told how to get in, and told where the safe would be be and told that they had several hours in which to attempt to open the big safe before any family members were due back home, but I don't know. I think they may have tried to get ML to give them the combination to the safe (something I doubt she knew). I think ML may have recognized at least two, and possibly three of the perps. All Jmo.
I think there were several witnesses (including those who saw the van cross the road and possibly a second tenant in a different building than the main house who saw one or more of the killers. But I don't think any of them can place the suspects inside the house participating in the murder. Maybe the upstairs tenant could recognize a voice, but I don't think you could convict someone on that.
For a while I thought this might be an inside job (possibly a family member or the tenant repaying a gambling debt by "facilitating" or turning their back to allow robbery to take place), but I'm less convinced of that now. If it was an inside job, I suppose that might be a third way to maybe still crack the case. My current thinking is that the tenant ("RP") was not involved
It is a tragic and heart wrenching case. And it's infuriating to think that ML's killers may escape justice. There was no need for them to do what they did. She had walked in by mistake. I believe there's a special place in hell for people like them, and that they'll arrive there sooner or later. All jmo
Do these guys have any involvement?
Olinger Mount Lindo Cemetery Deaths: Coroner Identifies Ryan Rees And Tyler Swindler
Olinger Mount Lindo Cemetery Deaths: Coroner Identifies Ryan Rees And Tyler Swindler
An April 2018 article in My Mountain Town publication online about their rape convictions in 2016 gives a better picture of these two
Interesting!
The tenant's name is out there and easy to find. He worked for a local, legal marijuana grow house. He was in an upstairs apartment, asleep, and only woke up to the smell of smoke and heard yelling. He was the one who called 9-1-1. I'm sure he is keeping a low profile, as one of the only "witnesses" that I'm aware of, I'm sure he feels a target on his back.
Also, I believe the gate was normally open and would not have required a code or key.
Also, I believe the gate was normally open and would not have required a code or key.
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Do you have a link please?
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I found this, which makes much more sense. “Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw, whose office is also investigating the murder, said treating the case as a hate crime allows his department to qualify for more funding and resources.”
Also, this...
“...the victim’s sisters...said they were initially surprised when they learned the murder was being investigated as a hate crime.“We just haven’t experienced that type of violence firsthand, but knowing what happened to Maggie and just the nature of the violence, it is something that should be taken into consideration,” “...Her race, her gender, you know, all of those contributing factors for why these perpetrators thought it was OK to do that to her.”
The death of a 17-year-old Asian American in 2017 house fire is now being investigated as a hate crime
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Whatever the reason, I'm so glad that they will continue to investigate. This case is baffling!
I agree. It seems like they have good vehicle descriptions and good descriptions of those possibly involved. Also, with so many involved, it seems someone would have talked about it. Baffling for sure.
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I just read through all 49 pages of this thread. What a fascinating case and I too am surprised more people aren't keeping up with this. A few observations:
1. The previous sheriff should be charged with malpractice in most aspects of this case. Ridiculous.
2. My take on saying there was no body found on the first few days of this case is that he was trying to rattle the perps to confessing. Think about this - multiple people rob a house and kill the sole witness in a house fire to cover up their crime. Sheriff says "girl is missing" and it reads like a Lifetime movie, right? The girl escaped the fire so the sole witness to this horrendous crime is out there and law enforcement is looking for her. I can see where they thought that might scare the men enough that it would coax one of the men involved (maybe one who was young and/or inexperienced, who just went along with the others and didn't really want to kill Maggie) to confess and turn on the others in exchange for a plea for immunity. If he thinks Maggie can ID them all when she's found, that might have been enough to lure one of them from hiding. I think this is the only thing the sheriff did that I understood. And if this was the motive, then it makes sense that they needed a gag order because this plan would not work if someone leaked that a body was found in the house (even if unidentified). The plan backfired obviously and none of the perps came forward, but it might have worked and I don't necessarily think it was a bad plan, despite the lie.
3. The constant "no danger to the community" nonsense is what should have driven him out of office. What a tool. It's one thing to lie about something that doesn't affect community (Maggie being dead or alive) for a good reason. It's another thing entirely to LIE to the community and make them think they're not in danger. Even if this family was targeted, once they get away, they can just as easily do it to someone else. He botched this case and didn't have the cajones to ever admit it.
4. I hope they find whoever did this. Maggie deserves justice and so does her poor family. My heart breaks for her parents and sisters. I hope that they have peace, wherever they are, despite the lack of answers.
1. The previous sheriff should be charged with malpractice in most aspects of this case. Ridiculous.
2. My take on saying there was no body found on the first few days of this case is that he was trying to rattle the perps to confessing. Think about this - multiple people rob a house and kill the sole witness in a house fire to cover up their crime. Sheriff says "girl is missing" and it reads like a Lifetime movie, right? The girl escaped the fire so the sole witness to this horrendous crime is out there and law enforcement is looking for her. I can see where they thought that might scare the men enough that it would coax one of the men involved (maybe one who was young and/or inexperienced, who just went along with the others and didn't really want to kill Maggie) to confess and turn on the others in exchange for a plea for immunity. If he thinks Maggie can ID them all when she's found, that might have been enough to lure one of them from hiding. I think this is the only thing the sheriff did that I understood. And if this was the motive, then it makes sense that they needed a gag order because this plan would not work if someone leaked that a body was found in the house (even if unidentified). The plan backfired obviously and none of the perps came forward, but it might have worked and I don't necessarily think it was a bad plan, despite the lie.
3. The constant "no danger to the community" nonsense is what should have driven him out of office. What a tool. It's one thing to lie about something that doesn't affect community (Maggie being dead or alive) for a good reason. It's another thing entirely to LIE to the community and make them think they're not in danger. Even if this family was targeted, once they get away, they can just as easily do it to someone else. He botched this case and didn't have the cajones to ever admit it.
4. I hope they find whoever did this. Maggie deserves justice and so does her poor family. My heart breaks for her parents and sisters. I hope that they have peace, wherever they are, despite the lack of answers.
Not many people in Denver seem to know about this story and I blame it on how the original sheriff released the information. First we got reports that there was a missing girl, but they only wanted to know where she was that afternoon. So, no reason to search for her now. That was weird. Then, they were like “never mind, we lied, she’s really dead”. Trust gone. Then, they reported that some guy upstairs heard yelling and banging. I got the impression that it was a domestic dispute. Seemed like the sheriff was trying to keep it hush hush, protecting the family’s privacy or something. When finally the actual details trickled out, it was obvious that the sheriff had botched the whole thing. But, I’m still on the lookout for men who smell like smoke.
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Family hopes FBI’s investigation into 2017 death of Maggie Long as a hate crime will shine new light on case
Jan. 2, 2022 By Andrea Cavallier rbbm.
''Every December for the past four years, Maggie Long’s family and friends have gathered on her birthday to remember her ambitious spirit, her positive attitude and her contagious laugh.
“When we’re with her friends, and we’re all together, we feel Maggie’s vibe, and it’s like we’re with Maggie,” Maggie’s sister Connie told Dateline. “We want to make sure she’s never forgotten.”
Maggie Long
Maggie would have turned 18 on December 17, 2017. But she never made it.
On December 1, 2017, just weeks before the holidays, Maggie had plans to go Christmas shopping with her sisters and help with the annual concert at school. But Maggie’s life was tragically cut short when she was set on fire and burned alive inside her family’s mountain community home in Bailey, Colorado.''
''Earlier this year, three and a half years after Maggie was killed, the FBI announced that it is investigating the Asian American teenager’s killing as a hate crime.
“The FBI is investigating the murder of Maggie Long as a Hate Crime Matter, the FBI released in a statement. “A Hate Crime is a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by the individual’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnicity/national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.”
''The FBI along with the family are offering a reward that was recently increased to $75,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.''
Jan. 2, 2022 By Andrea Cavallier rbbm.
''Every December for the past four years, Maggie Long’s family and friends have gathered on her birthday to remember her ambitious spirit, her positive attitude and her contagious laugh.
“When we’re with her friends, and we’re all together, we feel Maggie’s vibe, and it’s like we’re with Maggie,” Maggie’s sister Connie told Dateline. “We want to make sure she’s never forgotten.”
Maggie Long
Maggie would have turned 18 on December 17, 2017. But she never made it.
On December 1, 2017, just weeks before the holidays, Maggie had plans to go Christmas shopping with her sisters and help with the annual concert at school. But Maggie’s life was tragically cut short when she was set on fire and burned alive inside her family’s mountain community home in Bailey, Colorado.''
''Earlier this year, three and a half years after Maggie was killed, the FBI announced that it is investigating the Asian American teenager’s killing as a hate crime.
“The FBI is investigating the murder of Maggie Long as a Hate Crime Matter, the FBI released in a statement. “A Hate Crime is a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by the individual’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnicity/national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.”
''The FBI along with the family are offering a reward that was recently increased to $75,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.''
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