Your email address will not be published. Nearby Hotels & Motels. Several murders eventook place inside the building, and one remains unsolved to this day. Denverite is powered by you. Encouraging the attentions of multiple men was de rigueur for this modern woman of the early 20th century, and the young beauty played the gentlemen off one another to disastrous end. The motel opened in 1969 "at the end of the golden era of motels along Colfax," according to a report produced by city staff. Drug usage will probably go up because thats one way we stay warm. 1.2K1.2K. He successfully applied last year for a certificate of demolition eligibility, which paves the way for demolition of the property. I'm looking into the property for a project I'm working on. Long Holiday Motel Gunnison, CO Photo courtesy Chris Krok. Other proposed amenities include a clubroom, fitness room, bike storage, and a 750-square-foot roof deck. Several other murders would take place over the years. Back in the middle of the last century, it was known as the Heart O' Denver Hotel, painted bright colors and sporting some actual architectural charm.It looked like a place I really wanted to stay, kind of like the Royal Palace Motel up the road at Colfax and Colorado Boulevard, which used to have an outdoor . Politica swore his AK-47 was stolen by his decades-long close friend, probably in January 2020, but he claimed he was unaware of the theft for months. There has been several murders here including the murder of John Eggers in 1998 which still remains unsolved till this day. Few murder trials have been shorter or less contested. Denver Landmark Preservations filing on the Royal Palace spins a tale of high hopes and steady decline. For years its been slowly decaying away and will most likely continue down that path forever. After the inevitable guilty verdicts, Ana Thallas, the mother of unforgettable 21-year-old Isabella (Bella) Joy Thallas, put things perfectly. Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, Colorado . 420 E 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80203. pastor tom mount olive baptist church text messages / london drugs broadway and vine / royal palace motel denver murders. And our lives were changed forever.. The proposal would quadruple the stipend from $750 to $3,000. Required fields are marked *. The deserted town is considered among the most interesting abandoned places near Denver. He also hosts The Craig Silverman Show podcast. Dead Motels USA cites issues like bed bugs and poor management as reasons for part of the motel's downfall. : Lucas Barth. The Brown Palace Hotel, now The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, is a historic hotel in Denver, Colorado, United States.It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the second-longest operating hotel in Denver. Denver, the State Capitol, and the nearby cities and towns along the Rocky Mountain front range are in the midst of a major real estate and construction boom. 2.4K Shares. The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. The motel closed in 2013, and has been fenced off for years. Cleanliness 4.6. In particular, a group of Colfax preservationists have angled to save its funky sign. Apply at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com We, Schofield Excavation is Seeking Employees for Work in Eagle, Summit & Park Counties Benefits 100% Employer paid health insurance for, This position requires a mature, positive, punctual, self-motivated person who is detail oriented, organized, good at problem solving, has good, Accounting Coordinator / Deputy Town Clerk: Responsible for various accounting functions, licensing of short term rentals and tobacco retailers, providing. Several other murders would take place over the years. and our These parents lost someone precious. Walking distance from the Cow Palace; price tolerable if no bargain; was fine to crash for a few hours. When they did, they stayed at the historic Brown Palace Hotel, which is celebrating 130 years. ['b._setAllowHash', false], Early Denver developer Henry C. Brown opened the Brown Palace Hotel on Broadway in 1892. A staff member of the motel entered Mr. Eggers' room to perform housekeeping duties. Room 411 at the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul is where Agatha Christie is said to have written her famous mystery novel "Murder on the Orient Express."; The room has been well preserved, with portraits of the author and antique furniture all around. The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state our community can better understand itself. ['_setCustomVar', 4, 'ga_page_type', 'path'], Its only review on Yelp, from 2010, describes the motel as very icky., Even though this motel was cheap, I do not advise that anyone stay here, reviewer Jessica S. wrote. ['_setCustomVar', 1, 'ga_channel', 'CBPS'], My job, as Darian Simons lawyer, was to find and expose accurate information about the AK-47, and affix some accountability. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Motel is located in 5 km from the centre. But even with features like the cheery exterior and fancy glass elevator, things at the motel on the corner of Colfax and Colorado Boulevard began to go downhill. He saw bullets and shrapnel flying. When it was built in 1969, the Royal Palace Motel was considered a symbol of modernity and luxury. For much of the twentieth century the hotel was owned by the Boettcher family, which expanded it with a modern hotel tower across the street.A charter member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of . Ready to tell your networks why? Hilton Garden Inn Denver/Cherry Creek. Locals guess that squatters are probably living inside the Royal Palace nowadays and are also puzzled as to why thebuilding was never demolished. Its old-school signage, which includes a crown topped with a disco ball, remains. Jeff Oberg, of REA Development Corp., applied for the certificate which makes it easy to demolish a structure within five years in late April, according to city records. He realizes all thats now gone. Though the evidence has been lost or destroyed and those involved in the case have since passed, the double murder of the Smith brothers in Room 819 of the Severs Hotel in Muskogee, Oklahoma, remains clouded in mystery and speculation.. Around 8:30 PM on April 26, 1930, hotel staff was called to Room 819 by a frantic guest claiming his friends were being robbed in their room. Read our ethics policy for more on The Suns opinion policy, (720) 263-2338 Call, text, Signal or WhatsApp, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Whenthe Royal Palace Motel originallyopened in 1969, it was apopular stopover forpeople traveling to or through Denver. Politica deduced his AK-47 must have been stolen around January 2020 when his housemate pal helped him move between homes in Arvada. Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Denver Cherry Creek. Service 4.4. It was at this time that Mr. Eggers was found deceased inside of his room. This place has a dark history and has been abandoned since 2013. Staybridge Suites Denver Downtown. I also loved how it was close to several other shops and restaurants and even the Hammer Museum. You can also read our article on some cool abandoned places in Colorado Springs or Fort Collins. _gaq.push( The Brown Palace Hotel opened in 1892 with an eight-story atrium designed by architect Frank E. Edbrooke (1840-1921). 12/19/2021. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Royal Palace Motel. Urbexiam.com does not condone or encourage trespass, breaking the law, or unsafe behavior. Denver is making its outdoor patio program permanent for business owners, Lake Middle School students are fighting to keep DPS from relocating another program into their building, Denver housing inventory is low, but the luxury market is thriving, Denver students walk out of East High Friday to rally against gun violence at Colorado Capitol, How COVID-19 may have upended an opera, and gave a singer a moment for reflection, Things to do in Denver this weekend, March 3-5, Despite challenges along the way, Montbellos FreshLo Hub finally broke ground, Friday is the last day to give input on shared streets, With safe streets in mind, Councilmember Amanda Sawyer is running for reelection in District 5, Denvers Fair Election Fund: Everything you need to know, How a Denver Zoo porcupines quills found their way to a Native quillwork class at Four Winds Indian Center, DIA CEO Phil Washington finally got a hearing after being nominated to head the Federal Aviation Administration, Councilmember Candi CdeBaca says she won her first District 9 term thanks to community. ['_setAccount', '$GA_PRIMARY_ACCOUNT'], This wasnt the only thing that gave the motel its bad rep. Many of those businesses reopened on East Colfax, bringing a new character to the street as tourists took other routes into town. The Patterson mansion initially belonged to Thomas B. Croke. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. The Royal Palace Motel, once part of Colorado's golden era for motels along Colfax Avenue, closed in 2013. . A jury quickly convicted the gunman who killed Bella Thallas and wounded her boyfriend, Darian Simon. These Denver buildings have some history to them. The shuttered Royal Palace Motel at 1565 Colorado Boulevard. roy lee ferrell righteous brothers Likes. The Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver is Colorados grand dame, the states second oldest hotel and certainly the most elegant. Thoughthe building is fencedoff, it remains in good condition and still catches the eye of people driving by. Politica didnt testify. On May 24, 1911, one of the most notorious murders in Denver's history occurred. Jake comforted Darian, removed clothing to observe bullet holes, tied a tourniquet around Darians devastated leg, and enlisted others to stanch Darians other wounds. responsible for the murder of Mr. Eggers have yet to be identified. While it may not have global infamy like the Cecil, Denver's now-abandoned Royal Palace Motel is known by locals for its scandalous past. Meanwhile, the city worked to push sex shops and topless bars out of its downtown corridors. Denver, the State Capitol, and the nearby cities and towns along the Rocky Mountain front range are in the midst of a major real estate and construction boom. ['_setCustomVar', 3, 'ga_app_name', 'Cold Case Files'], It is difficult to explain why we urban explorers are fascinated by abandoned places and urban decay. For more information, please see our A great vacation should come with an even greater hotel, so make sure Royal Palace Motel is your lodging of choice when you travel to Denver. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #royalpalace, #royalpalacehotel, #royal_palace, #royalmotel . 1565 Colorado Blvd Denver CO 80220. Jake watched a stranger fall. This hotel was a pleasant surprise! #AbandonedDenver. But the real mystery lies behind the door of . Laramar has proposed a 16-story apartment building at that site. DENVER, CO - JULY 29: The abandoned Royal Palace Motel on Colorado Blvd is viewed on July 29, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. He and the killer texted their disgust with Denver and plans to move away from America. Theres just something so apocalyptic and creepy about them that draws us toward them. ['_setCustomVar', 2, 'ga_engagement_type', 'CBI'], This would end up casting a dark cloud over the motel that it would never recover from. Since then the Royal Palace has been slowly falling into severe decay. City workers dive into buildings histories and report back to the public. When apprehended that afternoon, the shooter repeatedly stated, Im sorry.. Since it has been sitting unused, curious explorers have made their way inside the facility for decades. They forced all residents to leave due to toxic conditions and designated the area a Superfund site. 1.48 miles. The massacre reportedly . By Maree F. "Stayed here for 4 nights, very close to downtown. 2.84 miles. John T. Norton announced plans for the hotel in 1967. ['_link'], View all Hotels & Motels in Denver, or Hotels & Motels in Zip code 80220. had the option to bypass central Denver by taking I-70, but hotel development . Since then the Royal Palace has been slowly falling into severe decay. Its a mash-up of ye-olde script and 60s flare, a blue-and-gold crest beneath a crown topped by a disco ball. The Class A Office building was completed in 1982 and features a total of 598,592 SF. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. The owner of the shuttered Royal Palace Motel just north of the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Colorado Boulevard has applied for a certificate of demolition eligibility. Incumbent Sandoval is up against Ava Truckey for the Northwest Denver district. Royal currently resides at 1565 Colorado Boul, Denver, CO 80220-1053. Back in 1890, a palatial sandstone mansion was built in Denver. More than $800,000 from outside groups has been spent in the last week, mostly for TV ads. The yellow-and-turquoise Royal Palace Motel building is five stories, and sits on a 1.07-acre lot, records show. Its eventual decline was symbolic of the ways I-70, which rose through Denver in the mid-60s, affected Colfax. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. Bella Thallas was slaughtered from behind by this man shooting out of his street-level apartment. Weve been waiting 2 years for this day and what happened in there just went by almost as fast as my daughter was slaughtered, she said through tears. 361. While none of the . Royal Palace . Built in 1892, our historic hotel in Denver, Colorado, has been a four star and Four Diamond hotel since 1977. ['b._link'], Denver startup Wolf Rigs builds $350K Humvee camper, Trio of public golf courses sell for $17M, Judge rejects lenders bid to foreclose on bankrupt downtown apartments, Appeals court sides with billionaire Anschutz in $8M tax tussle, Update your browser to view this website correctly. Businessman Frank Henwood murdered Tony von Phul of St. Louis . The candidate's team flyered cars with "All Votes Matter" ads at a predominantly white organization and flyered cars with "Black Votes Matter" ads at a historically Black church, Anderson said. Similar to the Cecil, the Royal Palace ultimately shuttered their doors to the public in 2013. The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, located in the heart of downtown Denver, is an icon rich in tradition and history. My podcast this past Saturday was Puccis first. Dr Rajiv Shahi, son-in-law of youngest brother of slain Nepalese King Birendra, and a survivor of palace massacre, gives first eyewitness account of royal blood bath; describes how Crown Prince . (303) 388-5611. Only a year before famous Titanic passenger the unsinkable Molly Brown was a guest at the hotel, the Brown Palace became the epicenter of a doomed romantic triangle that sank the privileged lives of several well-respected socialites. A nurse becomes a detective in this gripping YA mystery set in 18th century Korea's royal court. Its been sitting empty and forgotten since. #6 Best Value of 247 places to stay in Denver. The city of Denver has a plethora of these such locations. He politely asked if he could cuss in response to my question about whether he had an opinion about this AK-47. Royal Palace Motel can be contacted via phone at (303) 388-5611 for pricing, hours and directions. When it was constructed, the Royal Palace Motel was a gleaming symbol of modernity at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. If youd miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today. A friend, who stumbled upon the murder, was also killed. The average size would be 746 square feet. The name of the town was chosen because, during the early 1900s, this town was the literal last chance for any passing driver to stop for gas, food, or lodging before reaching the next populated area. The person responsible for the murder was never identified. Enjoy Royal Palace Motel when you stay in Denver. 1639 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO-80220 (303 . It might be possible to be too obviously racist. Discover short videos related to colfax ave hotel palace on TikTok. The ensuing decline was due in part to the fact that Interstate 70 was completed in the 1960s. It was at this time that Mr. Eggers was found deceased inside of his room. The town was considered a mecca for mining as many precious elements were found in it including silver, gold, copper, zinc, and lead. Whenthe Royal Palace Motel originallyopened in 1969, it was a convenient spot for tourists in the Denver-metro area to stay at. But while Charles fell out with a family of wealthy magnates, Canute's killers were humble peasants. We know that Laura Ann Voronovitch, Clarence Thomas Johnson, and 23 other persons also lived at this address, perhaps within a different time frame. The property is owned by Jeff Oberg of REA Development Corp., who paid $850,000 for the property in 2004, records show. The small town was mostly exclusive to company miners, meaning that all the people who lived there would work in the mines. Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. By 1960 less than 40 people inhabited the town of Gilman. Does anyone know what it was like in it's heyday? THE OXFORD HOTEL. Ready to tell your networks why? Show prices. EDIT: (this is also posted in reply to a comment below) The project i have in mind is a doosy and more of a pipe dream then any thing tbh. The thing about the Ramada Inn is, it wasn't always a bland, tan box on Colfax. It is now operated by HEI Hotels and Resorts, and joined Marriott's Autograph Collection . New album, 'Pedal Rose', available on iTunes now: https://itun.es/us/3jz_4 Royal Palace Motel - At his February 23, 2022, videotaped deposition, Politica explained to me how he was working the frontlines of Denvers protests in early June 2020. It doesnt mean something will actually happen, but its a sign that someone is thinking seriously about the Royal Palaces future. Your email address will not be published. For an attached home (think condo or duplex), it's $400,000. (303) 388-5611 . Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Would you let Denver Police have access to your cars GPS System? During the course of the initial investigation it was discovered that Mr. Eggers died as a result of a gunshot . The motel opened in 1969 at the end of the golden era of motels along Colfax, according to a report produced by city staff. The mill was fully closed down in the early 1970s and was abandoned shortly after. Posted by ; dollar general supplier application; Entry Level Training opportunity for the right candidate. The ensuing decline was due in part to the fact that Interstate 70 was completed in the 1960s. Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Not just Jake Pucci saved the life of Darian Simon. ['b._setDomainName', 'none'], Finally, first responders deemed the situation safe enough to approach. Its glimmer faded as the years went on and the storied avenue became seedier. This all changed in 1956 when the Federal Interstate Highway System built highway I-70 far away from the town effectively diverting all traffic and bypassing the town entirely. has been proposed for a six-story apartment building. Value 4.0. Pinemeadow Golf PGX 34 yaF125171F21B4F8D Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the Denver Police Department. If you plan to visit, be prepared to see something out of the ordinary! ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); This 100k-square-foot abandoned factory near Denver, is an urban explorers wet dream. However, development along E. Colfax in Denver continued during the 1960s.. EACH MEMBERSHIP WILL ONLY FUNCTION ON UP TO 3 MACHINES. Fireside Motel UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center. 31. Check out this unique looking marquee for the Royal Palace Motel in Denver. There's also the fact that several murders happenedinside the building. Bellas father, Joshua Thallas, has shown tremendous strength throughout this ordeal. The Curtis' two luxurious master suites, with themes that are a nod to the Rolling . An air filtration system, a powerhouse with generators, industrial-sized pipes, and heavy-duty equipment are all present in the silos today. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. The motel began losing customers and the ones that would stay had nothing but bad things to say about it. After a few short years, the town grew in numbers and different establishments were opened including bars, stores, bowling alleys, schools, a church, and more. Not only does it cater to the new traveling public, but it is also said to host some lingering spirits who refuse to move on. The shootings were videotaped by a security camera. Royal Palace Motel. Directions. Royal Palace Motel has the best amenities around. One of these murders remains unsolved. Littwin: Good news from the Dilbert front. Instinctively, Jake sprinted down to Darian. Ventures bought the building in 2004 for $850,000. During the late spring of 2020, Denver suffered a pandemic lockdown, tumultuous post-George Floyd-murder protests and forceful responses by DPD, some deemed unconstitutional. During the course of the initial investigation it was discovered that Mr. Eggers died as a result of a gunshot wound. Oberg did not respond to a request for comment left with his office on Monday. 3. No redevelopment plans have been submitted to the city for the hotel parcel at 1565 N. Colorado Blvd. Responding police took cover, as did paramedics. DPD is launching a new program to quickly locate stolen vehicles. His femoral artery essentially exploded. 11:00 p.m. at the Thompson Hotel Denver, followed by an after . Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. Notice was posted at the site last week because city staff determined the building has the potential for landmark designation. Almost instantly, officers mustve determined this was an AK-47, belonging to one of their own, DPD Sgt. Royal Palace Motel. We need a restorative approach to drug addiction. His targets were a beautiful couple of strangers merely walking their own dog during lunchtime in their downtown neighborhood near Coors Field. #44 of 178 hotels in Denver. Acting with universal malice and after deliberation, this murderer fired 24 rounds from an AK-47 assault weapon. No matter how yucky it became inside, the Royal Palaces exterior has continued to capture nostalgia. This massive amount of sugar was enough to supply the needs of 3 states, those being Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. In 1984 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered contaminated groundwater and pollutants from years of mining activity. A young nurse investigates murders in 18th century Korea in 'The Red Palace'. More. We're an alt-funk band from Denver, Colorado. If the renovation does occur, it will hopefully bring light back into one of Denver's darkest buildings. I created this blog to share my knowledge and advice with new people getting into urbex. Patterson Inn Book Now. Houses, motels, and cafes today lay in complete disrepair with zero chance of ever going back to their once lively days. 2.81 miles. The best and worst of humanity were on vivid, but brief, display at last week's first-degree murder trial in Denver. 5 Jun. The suspect responsible for the homicide has never been identified. Each of the hotel's 13 guest floors is built around a different pop culture theme, from the Star Wars-centric Sci-Fi floor to the rockin' Mad About Music floor. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and previously worked as a business reporter at the Springfield News-Leader. At the time of his death, Mr. Eggers was a guest at the Royal Palace Motel. With no customers to serve, businesses began closing down and leaving for better opportunities. Though very few people still live in the town, 98% of the town is completely abandoned. At a candidate forum in 2018, mayoral candidate Chairman Seku told a crowd that the city should turn the Palaces empty rooms into space for people without homes. Millions of people watched the Netflix documentary surrounding the sketchystories that took placeinside Los Angeles' notoriousCecil Hotel but when it comes to hotels with a dark history, onein Colorado could definitely rival the Cecil when it comes to the creepy factor. Opinion: When the lease expires, landlords should let tenants stay if they keep paying the rent, Denver Health nursed Darian through eight surgeries, truth through a successful civil lawsuit against Dan Politica, and Politicas inchoate gun company, videotaped deposition, Politica explained to me, Politica maintained under oath hed also been misled by Denver police. Buteven with features like the cheery exterior andfancy glass elevator, things at the motelon the corner of Colfaxand Colorado Boulevard began to go downhill. The Denver Police Department's Cold Case Unit is seeking information that will lead to the arrest . < If you were to drive 90 miles west of Denver you would come across the abandoned mining town of Gilman. Between the towers, they envisioned a conical gourmet lounge suspended in mid-air. The median price for a house in Denver: $600,000. Read more than 30 reviews and choose a room with Planet of Hotels. The Brown Palace hotel in Denver, Colorado has seen its fair share of notorious tenants. The city actually fielded a proposal to do just that, though theres no indication the idea went anywhere. Students are learning the dyeing artform from an Oglala Lakota elder and quillwork master, Cecelia Bernice Bull Bear. Built at the end of the 19th century, when refinement and culture were seeping into the Western cities that were formerly only known for their rough-and-tumble frontier personas, the Brown Palace quickly became a destination for the well-to-do in Denver society. ['b._trackPageview'] The plans call for 50 studios, 75 one bedrooms and 36 two-bedroom units. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. The motel closed in 2013 and has sat vacant and boarded up ever since. The defense did not bring it up. Oberg, acting as 1565 Colorado Blvd LLC and DBT Ventures LLC, purchased the property for $850,000 in August 2004, records show. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR A 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AT THE RATE IN EFFECT AT THAT TIME UNLESS YOU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY LOGGING IN OR BY CONTACTING LIZ@BUSINESSDEN.COM. Though access to the ghost town of Gilman is considered prohibited, this hasnt stopped curious explorers from making their way in. Discover short videos related to Royal palace motel on TikTok. Royal Palace Motel on Colfax & Colorado. Posted at 16:45h in amara telgemeier now by woodlands country club maine membership cost. Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. During the cold war, the United States government feared nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union. He next turned his AK-47 toward Bellas boyfriend, firing bullets until Darian also dropped. Sharing our About page with your own personal comments could really help us out. Join us as we explore a few of the most haunted hotels in Denver, CO. 1. Swipe is only available in chrome dev tools mobile mode. Located in Douala, 27 miles from Tiko Golf Club, Hotel Royal Palace has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. Politica maintained under oath hed also been misled by Denver police to believe the murder weapon had been an AR-15. Mon Thur, evening shift. Once the home of lumber baron John Mouat in the late 1800s, the Lumber Baron Inn in Denver, Colorado now serves as an elegant bed and breakfast and event location in the historic Potter-Highlands neighborhood. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project. Most of the complex is full of rust, dust, and corrosion from years of neglect and damage from the elements. Talented surgical teams at Denver Health nursed Darian through eight surgeries. As a firearms collector, he had more than a dozen guns. Denver police inaccurately reported an AR-15 had been used and recovered from the accused. After countless hours of grueling physical therapy, Darian Simon walked without aid, straight, brisk and tall to and from the witness box.