Parents Request State Review of Megan Trussell’s Death Investigation

The investigation into the death of University of Colorado Boulder student Megan Trussell may undergo a state review following a formal request from her parents, Joe Trussell and Vanessa Diaz. The request, submitted on Monday to the Colorado Department of Public Safety and the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, cites a law enacted in 2022 aimed at addressing cases involving Indigenous individuals.

This legislation established the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives in response to the alarming rates of violence faced by Indigenous people in Colorado. According to researchers, crimes against Indigenous communities are often inadequately tracked, contributing to a crisis that has gained national attention. The law mandates a review of cold cases involving missing Indigenous persons and death investigations deemed as suicide or overdose under suspicious circumstances.

Vanessa Diaz expressed her hope that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would take on the case, stating the legislation was “written for our exact situation.” On Thursday, officials from the relevant departments convened to decide which division would be responsible for leading the review process.

As of Friday afternoon, no updates had been communicated to the Trussell family regarding the outcome of the meeting or the timeline for any decisions. Trussell, 18, was discovered deceased on February 15, 2023, in a remote area near the 40-mile marker of Boulder Canyon Drive. She was last seen on February 9 at 21:00, leaving her dormitory, Hallett Hall.

The Boulder County Coroner’s office ruled her death a result of the toxic effects of amphetamine and exposure to cold conditions, classifying it as suicide. However, her family has consistently rejected this conclusion. In August 2023, they initiated a petition urging the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to reopen the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office responded that they would not reconsider the case without new evidence.

The ongoing efforts by the Trussell family underscore their commitment to seeking clarity and justice regarding Megan’s tragic death, highlighting the broader issue of how cases involving Indigenous individuals are handled within the judicial system. They hope that a state review will bring new insights into her death and address the concerns surrounding the initial investigation.