Hikers Found a Woman Nude Near Shallow Grave. 20 Years Later, a Man Pled Guilty to Her Killing

**Former Boulder County Resident Sentenced for 2006 Homicide of Angela Wilds**

A significant legal resolution has emerged in the case of a long-unsolved homicide that took place over 17 years ago in Boulder County, Colorado. John Angerer, a 57-year-old man, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide in relation to the death of Angela Wilds. However, due to time already served, he will not have to spend additional time behind bars.

The grim discovery of Wilds’ body in June 2006 shocked the community. She was found by two hikers in the South Saint Vrain Canyon area, partially uncovered and in a state of heavy decomposition, rendering immediate identification impossible. Authorities noted that her remains were unclothed except for a ring on her left hand. It wasn’t until November of that year that DNA analysis successfully identified the body as belonging to Wilds, who would have been around 38 at the time of her untimely death.

Angerer’s connection to the crime was established years later in 2010 when DNA evidence suggested his involvement. Despite initially denying any knowledge of Wilds to police, reports indicated that he had engaged in sexual activity with her. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, but the case was dismissed later that year due to lack of probable cause, leading to a complex history of reinvestigation and trials.

The case saw a revival over the years, shifting between trials that resulted in a hung jury and another trial that ended in a deadlock. This prompted the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office to reassess the evidence. “That investigation has included identifying new witnesses, re-interviewing individuals already known to law enforcement, consulting with forensic pathologists, and submitting further items to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for testing and DNA analysis,” noted a representative from the office regarding their decision to reopen the case.

As the prospect of a third trial loomed, Angerer ultimately chose to plead guilty to the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. In return, the district attorney’s office dropped the more serious second-degree murder charge as part of his plea agreement.

Following his plea, Angerer received a sentence of three years, but a significant factor in the outcome was his substantial time credit. He was awarded 1,375 days of credit for his previous time in custody between the two trials, meaning he will not serve further prison time prior to his release. Additionally, upon release, he will be subject to two years of mandatory parole.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty commented on the long struggle for justice faced by Wilds’ family, stating, “For twenty years, [Wilds’] family has carried the painful weight of not knowing whether justice would ever be done. Today’s plea doesn’t erase their loss, but it does represent a measure of accountability and a meaningful step toward honouring Angela’s life.”

Angerer’s past is marked by a troubling criminal history, with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to burglary, driving under the influence, and assault, recorded in both Colorado and Alaska. His previous brushes with the law and the significant time that has elapsed since Wilds’ death add complexity to the overall narrative of the case.

As a case that lingered for nearly two decades, Angerer’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing have brought a degree of closure to an investigation that has seen renewed attention in recent years. While this resolution may not fulfil the family’s desire for complete justice, it nonetheless brings a sense of accountability that has been elusive for many years. The Boulder community, still haunted by the tragic events of 2006, may now begin to heal as the legal proceedings surrounding this case draw to a close.

The legacy of Angela Wilds, marked by both her tragic end and the subsequent legal journey, now takes a notable step forward, reflecting the complexities inherent in the pursuit of justice.