Suspect Arrested In Ft. Collins Woman's Murder

FORT COLLINS, CO -- Fort Collins police announced they had a suspect in custody in the homicide investigation of a woman missing for more than a month, whose body was found at Lory State Park west of the city. Khalid White, 30, was arrested for the murder of Kimberlee Graves, 41.

A park ranger found Graves's body Jan. 9. The Larimer Co. Coroner determined Graves's death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma and manual strangulation. The Coroner also found evidence of sexual assault, Fort Collins police said in a statement.

Detectives estimate that Graves was killed on the night of Dec. 4 or early morning of Dec. 5. Her home was discovered ransacked and her car was found parked in a garage. Police believe the ransacking of her home occurred after she disappeared.

White, on probation in Fort Collins, was a person of interest early in the case, police said, and was a acquaintance of Graves. White skipped a probation appointment Dec. 14 and police discovered White left town by bus. A warrant for violating probation terms was issued for his arrest and police in West Wendover, Nevada intercepted White on Dec. 20, and booked him in Elko Co. Jail.

Police found Graves's identification and other belongings in White's possession. Fort Collins detectives traveled to Nevada to interview White.

White is charged with first degree murder, tampering with a dead body, sexual assault and identity theft, police said.

White was booked into the Larimer County Jail on Jan. 17.

Graves was remembered as friendly. She was mother of two children, who lived with other relatives.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Graves on Friday, Jan. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 1220 University Avenue, Fort Collins.

This case remains under active investigation, Fort Collins police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fort Collins Police at 970-416-2825 or tipsline@fcgov.com. People may also contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.

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Image via Fort Collins Police