Over 40 years since a University of Colorado student was brutally murdered in his Boulder apartment, the FBI is enlisting public assistance by circulating new age-progressed images of the suspect in the case.
On Thursday, investigators revealed updated images of Thayne Alan Smika. Authorities allege that Smika has successfully eluded capture for decades following the fatal shooting of his former roommate, 22-year-old Sidney Lee Wells, on August 1, 1983.
Responding to a call at a Boulder apartment complex that day, police discovered Wells lifeless on the living room floor, shot in the head. At the time of his death, Wells was a senior journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder and an active member of the Navy ROTC program.
An image released by the FBI shows Thayne Alan Smika, wanted in connection with the 1983 murder of his former roommate, University of Colorado Boulder student Sidney Lee Wells. (FBI)
Smika, then 24, was suspected early on in the investigation, yet charges were not filed immediately. Authorities later found his vehicle abandoned in October 1986, in Beverly Hills, California, bearing a stolen license plate. Smika has been a fugitive ever since.
A Boulder County judge issued a state warrant charging Smika with first-degree murder in December 2010. Days later, federal authorities charged him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and obtained a federal arrest warrant.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Smika’s arrest and conviction.
An FBI age-progression image depicts what homicide fugitive Thayne Alan Smika may look like today if he is clean-shaven. Investigators hope the updated images generate new leads in the decades-old case. (FBI)
“It is never too late to hold a murder suspect accountable,” FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski said. “The FBI is unwavering in our determination to deliver justice for victims’ families. We will work with Boulder Police to pursue this fugitive until he is found and brought into custody to face the consequences of his actions.”
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said investigators hope the newly released images generate fresh leads in the decades-old homicide investigation.
“We are hopeful these images generate actionable tips that our detectives can investigate to find Smika and bring justice in this case,” Redfearn said. “No matter how much time has passed, we will never stop searching. We are grateful for our FBI partners for their help in creating these images and publicizing this crime.”
An FBI age-progression image shows what homicide fugitive Thayne Alan Smika may look like today with a beard and glasses. Authorities are seeking tips in the 1983 killing of University of Colorado Boulder student Sidney Lee Wells. (FBI)
Authorities said Smika would now be 67 years old. He may be clean-shaven or have a beard or mustache and may wear glasses. Investigators also said he does not have a valid U.S. passport and may have lived in Yelapa, Mexico, for years before 2007.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Anonymous tips can also be made through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.