Parachute Homicide Victim Identified

PRESS RELEASE
June 29, 2015

UPDATE
Monday, June 29, at approximately 1350 hours, the Cass County MN Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, arrested both Matthew Ogden, age 29, and Phyllis Wyatt, age 41, without incident. Authorities in Minnesota received a tip on a possible location in the Cass Lake area. Law Enforcement officials, along with the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, responded to the area, and found both parties inside a residence. They were apprehended without incident.

On Saturday June 20, 2015, at approximately 11:15am, the Garfield County Coroner’s Office responded to a death investigation at Grand River Hospital. The decedent was identified as Sarah Ogden, a four week old female infant. Sarah was born in Grand Junction, Colorado and was a resident of Parachute, CO.
On Sunday June 21, 2015, Dr. Robert Kurtzman – FCAP Forensic Pathologist, completed an autopsy. Dr. Kurtzman indicated that the cause of death was due to multiple blunt force injuries. The Coroner’s Office immediately notified the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Parachute Police Department of the autopsy findings.

Through further investigation, with the assistance of the Parachute Police Department, Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigations, the Coroner’s Office was able to determine the manner of death as homicide.

15-19-109, Colorado Revised Statutes, states that a person who has been charged with a felony offense involving the death of a deceased person shall not
direct the final disposition of the deceased. Therefore, the coroner’s office is relying on Sarah’s maternal and paternal grandparents as her next of kin. The Coroner’s Office has been in communication with her grandparents.

No additional information will be released by the coroner’s office at this time.

Press Release
June 26th, 2015
For immediate release;

On June 26th, 2015 the Parachute Police Department, with the help from the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, have issued arrest warrants for both the mother and father of the four week old victim of a homicide that occurred Saturday June, 20th 2015. The father, Matthew Ogden, described as 6-1, 195, brown hair and brown eyes with multiple tattoos, is wanted for first degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and child abuse causing bodily injury. The mother, Phyllis Wyatt, described as 5-6, 150, brown hair and hazel eyes, is wanted for child abuse causing death with criminal negligence.

Both are believed to have fled the Parachute area and are in route to California. It has been reported they are possibly in the St. Paul Minnesota area at this time. Both suspects are in a 1998 light colored Plymouth Sedan with California Plates 3WRH941. If any one has information on their whereabouts, or any information on this case please call the Parachute Police Department at 970-625-8095, the 9th judicial District Attorneys Office or your local law enforcement agency. If you see either suspect or the vehicle call 911 immediately.

Matthew Ogden
This is a photo of Matthew Ogden, father of the four week old who died on June 20th in Parachute, Matthew has a warrant for 1st degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. If Matthew or Phyllis are seen, do not approach them, call 911.
Phyllis Wyatt
This is a picture of Phyllis Wyatt, mother of the four week old female who died on June 20th, there is a warrant out for her arrest, if you see Phyllis Wyatt or Matthew Ogden call 911.

June 25, 2015
Press Release June 25th, 2015
For immediate release;

On June 20th, 2015 at approximately 0703 hours the Parachute Police Department was dispatched to the Cottonwood View Apartments located at 200 Colorado Ave in the Town of Parachute for a report of a four week old female unresponsive and not breathing.

A Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Parachute Officer responded. Upon their arrival CPR was already in progress. The infant was transported to Grand River Hospital in Rifle where it was pronounced dead at approximately 1100 hours.

The Garfield County Coroner has ruled the death as a Homicide and the cause of death is pending further investigation. The victim’s name is being withheld until the coroner can be certain that all next of kin has been notified.

The Parachute Police Department is investigating the Homicide with the help from the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, The Garfield County Coroner’s Office and the Garfield County Department of Human Services.

This is an active investigation; any further information will be released when it becomes available.