Shivangi Sinha
In October 2012, Byron Griffy was discovered shot to death inside his home in Fowler, Colorado. The crime scene appeared unusual. There was very little blood, and when investigators determined he had been shot in the back of the head, the case was ruled a homicide. Although officers initially considered several possible suspects, no evidence linked any of them to the killing. ID’s ‘The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder’ outlines the investigation in detail and reveals the information authorities ultimately uncovered.
Byron Griffy’s Remains Were Found By His Daughter and Daughter-in-law in His Farmhouse
Paul Lester Griffy and Gay Vanderpool Griffy welcomed their youngest child, Byron Paul Griffy, on October 13, 1935. He grew up surrounded by his loving older siblings, Bud, Otis, Alma, and Leah, who doted on him with all their hearts. Byron graduated from Las Animas High School in 1954 and later enrolled at Otero Junior College in 1956. He continued his studies at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, completing the program in 1958 and committing himself to a career in funeral service. Over the years, he worked at funeral homes across Colorado, including in Pueblo, Salida, and Las Animas. He hoped to open his own and was driven by a deep sense of service to his community.
With his generous nature and commitment to others, Byron also served on the Fowler School Board. His long-held dream finally came true when he purchased Crist Funeral Homes in Fowler and Manzanola, establishing his own business. He later married and became a father to three daughters, Lindalin, Linette, and Amy, and was eventually blessed with several grandchildren. Although his marriage did not last, his children remained close, and his home was always full of family activity. He warmly welcomed his daughter Linette and her wife, Gina Griffy, when they came to Colorado. He was deeply respected and well-liked and had many friends who were always ready to stand by him.
On October 12, 2012, Gina and Linette went to Byron’s farmhouse around 8 pm after being unable to reach him for some time. The family had moved out nearly a year earlier, and Byron, 76, now spent most of his days at another home with his daughter’s family. They knew he had a meeting scheduled at the farmhouse, but when he stopped answering their calls, they grew concerned. Inside an empty bedroom, they discovered his remains. He had been shot in the back of the head, with his arms placed neatly across his chest. The autopsy confirmed it was a homicide.
The Police Identified Many Suspects in Byron Griffy’s Case
Linette and Gina Griffy informed investigators that Byron had a scheduled meeting with Anthony Wright and Charles Giebler, co-owners of the Charles Anthony Funeral Home. Both men were brought in for questioning and stated that they waited outside the farmhouse gate around 12:30 pm but saw no sign of Byron. They claimed they had hoped to take him out for lunch for a friend’s upcoming birthday, but after waiting, they left. After speaking with the family, police narrowed their focus to two additional suspects. One was Cory Higgs, Gina’s son from a previous relationship, who had a troubled history and had been placed in Byron’s care by child services when he was 16.
Gina and Linette alleged that Cory might have been financially motivated to harm Byron. Cory had previously said that he had been sexually abused by Byron and the latter had also pleaded guilty in 2012. However, Cory firmly denied any involvement in the murder. He took a polygraph test and passed, and because Byron’s watch and wallet were still on him, police found no clear motive linking him to the crime. Another person of interest was Tommy Tomlin, who had worked on the farm, but he was also ruled out. Suspicion ultimately shifted to Anthony Wright and Charles Giebler. Investigators discovered inconsistencies in their statements, including their claim of arriving in a black Mercedes, while CCTV confirmed they were actually in a white two-seater van. It did not make sense since they were picking Byron up for lunch.
Byron Griffy’s Alleged Killers Were Supposedly Motivated by Financial Gains
Linette Griffy also alleged that both Anthony Wright and Charles Giebler had been inside the house multiple times and knew about the back entrance. She maintained that it was the entry they always used, so Anthony’s claim that he only tried the front door and left because he didn’t know any other way in seemed suspicious. The pair had introduced themselves around town as half-brothers, but the investigation revealed they had actually been former romantic partners and had lied about their relationship. Another major red flag for police was the series of alleged break-ins at Byron’s farmhouse the year before his death, which had prompted the family to move. Byron kept a collection of gold and silver coins, and he had feared that someone was targeting him for them.
Byron had asked Anthony and Charles to store his coin collection because they had a more secure setup. Anthony also claimed to be a collector himself, keeping a large assortment of guns and vintage items locked away. Linette later alleged that the two men had spent Byron’s money and killed him to cover it up. A major twist came when Charles died of coronary artery disease on January 25, 2013. Although no foul play was involved, some believed he had been worried about an impending arrest. Anthony was eventually arrested and charged with first-degree murder, but after posting bail, he remained free. Some of Byron’s coins were also recovered from his house. His July 2015 trial ended in a mistrial, and he later pleaded guilty to being an accessory to first-degree murder, receiving ten years of probation.
