Adams County, Colorado- Deputies from Adam’s County Sheriff’s Department made a chilling discovery during a welfare check at a home in the Twin Lakes community in the early hours of Jan. 5. The deputies found blood-soaked rooms, a decapitated and dismembered body under a blanket, and the victim’s head smoldering on a stove in the kitchen, according to an arrest affidavit.
The affidavit details a horrific stabbing and dismemberment, seemingly motivated by delusions and paranoia. The suspect, Jose Valdez-Canas, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and abuse of a corpse in the stabbing death of a 31-year-old man at a home in the 6900 block of Ruth Way.
Valdez-Canas had a history of legal trouble, having been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault, and kidnapping in Denver in September. He was free on $10,000 cash bail at the time of the incident.
The victim’s identity has not been publicly released by the Adams and Broomfield County Coroner’s Office. According to the affidavit, the victim had expressed concerns about a roommate who had recently been released from jail and was causing trouble by attempting to steal the victim’s personal belongings.
Deputies responded to the home for a welfare check after a witness living in the house called 911 to report loud noises coming from upstairs. When they arrived, Valdez-Canas, who had blood on his face and hands, greeted them and cooperated with their instructions to lie face-down on the ground. Upon further investigation, deputies found the victim’s dismembered body and other grisly evidence in the house.
Valdez-Canas is currently in custody on a $5 million cash bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 20. His chilling confession to deputies at the hospital added another layer of horror to the already gruesome crime, in which he claimed to have been on a divine mission to kill the victim.
The details of this case are extremely disturbing and continue to shock the Adams County community. This tragic and senseless act of violence has left many grappling with the question of what could drive a person to commit such a heinous crime. The upcoming court proceedings will hopefully provide some closure and justice for the victim and their loved ones.