Found Deceased CO - Tera Lewandowski, 34, Ault, 29 Sept 2015 *Arrests*

[TravelingBug]

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...sidents-officials-lament-murder-in-small-town

Authorities interviewed many involved and came away with a picture of a planned murder that was sanctioned by the group’s biker gang leader, Vassil’s father, according to the affidavit.

Okay, so will they be arresting Vassil's father for authorizing the "hit"?

With at least one already charged with something other than the actual murder (the one charged 'only' for accessory) you'd sure think he would be!

And unbelievable!

According to Weld County records, the home in Pierce is owned by Meyer, an active board member for the town of Pierce, and according to the affidavit, “the enforcer” in a biker gang in which members call themselves the “21 Crew,” also known as the “Unforgivens.” The gang is not a recognized gang in Weld County, reports Mike Prill, a gang expert with the Greeley Police Department. But, that doesn’t mean the group didn’t operate as a gang, he said.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...-town-official-and-self-proclaimed-biker-gang

Town officials and residents of Pierce were shocked to learn that one of their town board members was involved in a planned murder, and even more so that he would admit to dealing the fatal blow.

Daniel James Meyer, 36, was arrested Oct. 29 after admitting to Weld Sheriff deputies that he stabbed Tera Lewandowski, 34, in the chest with permission of his biker gang leader. Affidavits detailing the killing were unsealed by the courts Wednesday.

What a mess.

Meyer had been a town board member for the town of Pierce since April 2014, said Craig Cleveland, mayor pro-tem for the tiny town about 10 miles north of Greeley. Meyer ran for the seat unopposed.

“I know very little about him, to my knowledge none of our other board members do either,” Cleveland said. “In this little community, it’s hard to find people willing to serve. When we have someone younger who steps up, and seems to show interest, we tend to welcome them with open arms.

“All of his behaviors on the board have been appropriate, there was no indication. … All of us are just shocked. … My heart goes out to her and the family. It’s just sad, sad, sad.”

“I keep trying to picture him in my mind, and I just can’t believe he was on the board,” Haywood said. “I was talking to my neighbor across the street, next time they come up for an election for the board, we need to take a little more look at what board members do for a living.”

:facepalm: So the issue would be him being ineffective on the board and not the fact that it's probably not a great plan to allow a murderer to be weighing in decisions.

And surely there is something in the town charter that would allow them to boot him immediately, instead of the lengthy process they described.

His 'legal problems' are not something like petty theft, it's murder!

“Considering the legal problems he faces, there’s no way he’d be an effective member of the board,” Cleveland said.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...sidents-officials-lament-murder-in-small-town

 

[TravelingBug]

Police were tipped off to her disappearance by her mother, who said she believed her daughter was murdered after she failed to show for a doctor’s appointment Sept. 30.

Her mother told sheriff deputies her daughter explained that “every night several young males come over to get high and are in possession of clubs, knives and one individual had a gun,” the affidavit stated. “The individuals would then go out in a vehicle to find someone to beat up.”

<snip>

The night before she disappeared, Lewandowski texted her mother: &#8220;stay by your phone, something might happen tonight,&#8221; the affidavit stated.

Normally you'd think if someone disappeared and the reporting person said they thought she was murdered from the get go you'd think they were crazy or paranoid.

It's just so sad in this case her mom was afraid of it and couldn't get her out of there and somewhere safe

And even more sad Tera even thought something may happen and didn't beg someone to come get her out there.

Lewandowski apparently made the mistake of taking umbrage at one of the roommates stealing her prescription pain medications. Griffin said Lewandowski also had an argument with Karly Hanchett that also may have sparked her &#8220;hit,&#8221; according to the affidavit. Once the purported gang leader, Vassil&#8217;s father, approved the hit, the suspects in the case killed her, then dumped her body in Wyoming, according to the affidavit.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...-town-official-and-self-proclaimed-biker-gang

 

[TravelingBug]

Such evil!

Her body was taken downstairs, and eventually wrapped in a blanket and put in the back of a pickup, the affidavit stated. Griffin said she was instructed to drive, but could not lead authorities to the whereabouts of Lewandowski&#8217;s body. She said the body was wrapped in a carpet, but the carpet was left open so wildlife could get to it.

Meyer told authorities her body was taken 100 miles into Wyoming, and dropped about 50 feet off the road. After several searches, by air and on land, her body still has not been recovered.

<snip>

The group attempted to hide the murder, the affidavit stated, by burning Lewandowski&#8217;s belongings, some of which authorities believe they found in a pile of ashes at the Hanchetts&#8217; home in Nunn. They also tried to clean up all evidence of blood at the house, according to the affidavit.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...-town-official-and-self-proclaimed-biker-gang


Despite several searches, authorities have not yet found her body. The knife that killed her was burned, and its remains thrown in a Dumpster in Scottsbluff, Neb.

 

[TravelingBug]

I was close with my guess the other day that someone might get a lesser charge for cooperating and/or leading LE to her body.

Apparently that's what happened and why Crystal got the lesser charge.

She's the one who spilled what happened to LE and it almost sounds like she did try to lead them to her but wasn't able to find where it was they left her.

The affidavit showed that Meyer, and Chad Iler, 18, of Fort Collins; Mike Vassil, 23, of Fort Collins; Scott Hanchett, 21, and Karly Hanchett, 18, had apparently planned to kill Lewandowski after she got into an argument with Karly Hanchett, and also after she got mad at Meyer for stealing her prescription painkillers. All have been or will be charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and a violent crime causing death. Another housemate, Crystal Griffin, cooperated with police in the matter and was charged as an accessory to a crime. Griffin was the first to reveal the plot to authorities.

Griffin told deputies Meyer was stealing Lewandowski’s medications, and he had been talking about killing her for days, but she didn’t think he was serious, the affidavit said.

.

Her body was taken downstairs, and eventually wrapped in a blanket and put in the back of a pickup, the affidavit stated. Griffin said she was instructed to drive, but could not lead authorities to the whereabouts of Lewandowski’s body. She said the body was wrapped in a carpet, but the carpet was left open so wildlife could get to it.

Griffin told authorities she and Karly Hanchett cleaned up the house, where authorities later found bottles of hydrogen peroxide with spray nozzles attached. Investigators sprayed Luminol throughout the house, which detects the presence of blood through a chemical reaction. Hydrogen peroxide, however, can break down the properties in blood to render it undetectable by Luminol, the affidavit stated. Regardless, traces of blood were found throughout the house, the affidavit stated.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/...-town-official-and-self-proclaimed-biker-gang

 

[Portabella]

I was in shock when I read also that they could not just oust him from the town board and the poor verbage of him not being able to essentially make the meetings due to being incarcerated for murder as the reason. I am sure he misspoke on that one, seemed very callous.

It bothers me that when she knew of them having weapons and heading out to beat people up as quoted in the news story, she did not think to leave. I feel so bad for her and her family.

If you hear anything about the location they took her dog in any news story, please put it on here. I want to be sure its adopted by family and not in a shelter or pound. I am presently trying to locate it, I live within a reasonable distance, and I do rescue work (as did she) and would be sure her beloved pet is not euthanized at a shelter after all its been through. My prayers are with her poor Mom, this has to be a true nightmare....IMHO

 

[Eileen730]

From this link:

"The affidavit stated all had their assigned duties when they confronted Lewandowski in her second-floor bedroom. Two were supposed to hit her, and one was supposed to stab her. Meyer, according to the affidavit, admitted to stabbing her in the chest once."

Poor lady. She didn't stand a chance.

Sent from my LGMS345 using Tapatalk

This is just horrible!
Why in God's name was she staying there especially after telling g her mom stay by the phone.

 

[margarita25]

The dumping in Wyoming reminds me of Nate Tallman's case.

 

[Portabella]

I know she will be found eventually, just hoping with hunting season the roads less traveled will get a bit of traffic, as I think she is probably off a road that is well off the beaten path after examining Meyer, he spent much time in the middle of nowhere, so ....if she really is in Wyoming she could be hard to spot, especially with heavy snow in our forecast coming this way early in the week....Its all downhill after the first snow usually, until Spring anyway.

Also her dog is safe and loved with family....If nothing else that made me happy....

My Opinion only of course.....

 

[wendybtn]

This is just horrible!
Why in God's name was she staying there especially after telling g her mom stay by the phone.

I guess she, at that moment, wanted the comfort of whatever substances they might bring, over the thoughts of her own safety. Drugs are a lie, like something used to lead a lamb to slaughter. Sorry, that is just how I feel reading this thread. Have all these predators been charged with something beyond suspicion of murder so they can be held on no bond? I hope.

 

[steelman]

This entire bunch has watched too many episodes of "Sons of Anarchy", including the "dad" that sanctioned it.

This is pretty much exactly what you would've seen while watching that show.

Unlike the characters in that T.V. series, this group of sick f#$ks will be going to jail for a very long time, a couple of them probably for life.

This isn't life imitating art, it's more like a bunch of fools that live in an imaginary fairyland.

The cops might want to check for other missing persons around there, this may end up not being their first thrill kill.

 

[los2188]

Missing Weld woman's body found in Wyoming

Northern Colorado investigators on Wednesday found a body in Wyoming that matches the description of a Weld County woman who went missing last fall, adding a new layer to the criminal cases against six people allegedly implicated in her killing.

http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2016/04/15/missing-weld-womans-body-found-wyoming/83084716/​

 

[Portabella]

An autopsy and formal identification is being done by the Weld County coroner, and as of Monday morning they tell Newschannel 5 that an identification has not yet been completed.

http://www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/B...-may-be-missing-Colorado-woman-376091591.html

 

[OkieGranny]

http://kgab.com/body-found-in-laramie-county-identified/

Joey Weiner, Chief Deputy Coroner with the Weld County Coroner&#8217;s Office, says the body is that of 34-year-old Tera Lewandowski...

&#8220;Most of the details are still unknown,&#8221; said Turner. &#8220;We have six individuals in custody at the Weld County Jail in relation to possibly her murder and so we still have a lot more to do on this case.&#8221;

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

RIP Tera.
I'm so glad your family will be able to go somewhere to mourn.

 

[0101ABA]

Authorities in Weld County said Friday they have arrested a seventh person in the October 2015 disappearance and slaying of a woman in Pierce that investigators believe was tied to a biker gang.

Thomas Vassil, 54, of Nunn, has been booked into the county jail on suspicion of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The sheriff’s office says he was charged because of “his involvement in the events that led up” to the death of Tera Lewandowski.

(...)

Those already taken into custody in the case include Chad Iler, Daniel Meyer, Michael Vassil, Scott Hanchett, Karly Hanchett and Crystal Griffin.

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/07/arrested-biker-gang-slaying-pierce/

 

[DeepThinker]

This story is local for me - I am familiar with a couple of the suspects as well

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/business/pierce-residents-officials-lament-murder-in-small-town/

Town officials and residents of Pierce were shocked to learn that one of their town board members was involved in a planned murder, and even more so that he would admit to dealing the fatal blow.

Daniel James Meyer, 36, was arrested Oct. 29 after admitting to Weld Sheriff deputies that he stabbed Tera Lewandowski, 34, in the chest with permission of his biker gang leader. Affidavits detailing the killing were unsealed by the courts Wednesday.

&#8220;It has scared the crap out of me, and I&#8217;m still having a problem with it,&#8221; Peggy Haywood said Thursday. She lives two blocks from the home where Lewandowski was killed. &#8220;That close to my house in this town. We&#8217;ve never had a problem in the last 50 years. It has scared me completely. I never noticed, and I&#8217;m only two blocks away. I never noticed anything.&#8221;

(...)

The affidavit showed that Meyer, and Chad Iler, 18, of Fort Collins; Mike Vassil, 23, of Fort Collins; Scott Hanchett, 21, and Karly Hanchett, 18, had apparently planned to kill Lewandowski after she got into an argument with Karly Hanchett, and also after she got mad at Meyer for stealing her prescription painkillers. All have been or will be charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and a violent crime causing death. Another housemate, Crystal Griffin, cooperated with police in the matter and was charged as an accessory to a crime. Griffin was the first to reveal the plot to authorities.

Lewandowski had been living at Meyer&#8217;s house for about a week before she was killed. Her mother alerted authorities to her disappearance on Oct. 30, after she failed to show at a doctor&#8217;s appointment.

Authorities interviewed many involved and came away with a picture of a planned murder that was sanctioned by the group&#8217;s biker gang leader, Vassil&#8217;s father, according to the affidavit. The affidavit states the group killed her, then dumped her body 100 miles into Wyoming. They dropped her dog, Diablo, off in the Pawnee Grasslands, but he was later found.

 

[DeepThinker]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/6th-murder-related-arrest-in-connection-to-tera-lewandowskis-disapearance

http://people.com/crime/board-member-in-pierce-colorado-admits-to-stabbing-missing-woman/

http://50crime.com/tag/Tara Lewandowski

whttp://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-town-official-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-w

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/crime/weld-county-sheriffs-deputies-arrest-man-they-say-is-connected-to-pierce-biker-gang-killing/

http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/crime/two-men-charged-in-pierce-biker-gang-killing-scheduled-to-enter-pleas-later-in-year/

 

[0101ABA]

A man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for his role in the death of a woman who investigators say was killed by a former town board member from Pierce and a group of bikers.

The Weld County District Attorney’s Office says 22-year-old Scott Hanchett was sentenced Wednesday for the September 2015 death of 34-year-old Tera Lewandowski, whose remains were found near Cheyenne, Wyoming. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/05/man-55-years-prison-pierce-womans-death/

 

[0101ABA]

A member of a Pierce &#8220;biker gang&#8221; who murdered a woman in 2015 pleaded guilty Thursday in Weld County District Court, nearly two weeks after a jury convicted another member in the gang.

Michael Vassil, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Under the plea agreement, Vassil will be sentenced to prison for 60 years.

http://kdvr.com/2017/06/02/man-plea...-weld-county-woman-who-disrespected-his-gang/

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Woman sentenced to 28 years in Pierce 'biker gang' murder

https://www.weldda.com/news_room/news_releases/woman_sentenced_to_28_years_in_pierce__biker_gang_/

A Pierce woman who assisted a self-described biker gang in the brutal murder of Tera Lewandowski was sentenced today to 28 years in the Department of Corrections.

Karly Hanchett, 20, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in December and faced up to 48 years in prison for her role in the killing. Hanchett’s sentencing comes just one week after her husband Michael Vassil pleaded guilty to the crime as well. He will soon be sentenced to 60 years.

The last of the co-defendants, Thomas Vassil, has yet to plea or go to trial. His next court date is set for an arraignment later this month.