It’s been 20 years this month since three people — a 9-year-old girl, her dad, and a man who worked for him — disappeared. Westminster investigators believe the trio were murdered and their bodies hidden.
The investigation remains active, with police hoping someone will come forward with information that leads to a breakthrough and closure for the families of the victims, according to a news release.
On Feb. 7, 1999, Sarah and Paul Skiba, and Lorenzo Chivers, were reported missing, Westminster police said. To this day, they remain missing. Detectives, including a new team who within the last five years was assigned to a “start from scratch” investigation, continue to resubmit DNA evidence in the case.
“These detectives were able to identify and interview two additional witnesses, who provided information,” the release said.
Paul Skiba owned a moving business, Tuff Movers. At about 8:30 a.m. the day of the disappearance, Sarah accompanied her father and Chivers, who worked for Skiba, as the men started a work day. At about 10:30 a.m., they began a moving job in Thornton, stopping to have lunch in Lakewood at about 12:50 p.m., police said.
Completing an afternoon of work in the Golden area, all three returned at about 6:15 p.m. to the Tuff Movers yard in the 7100 block of Raleigh Street. Sarah made a final call home at about 6:22 p.m., the release stated.
“All three were murdered, either at the truck yard or a second location, and detectives believe their bodies were removed from the yard in the moving truck to an unknown location,” police said. “The lives of their families would be changed forever.”
Their bodies have never been found, police said.
“Twenty years later this case looms over the Westminster Police Department and the friends and families” of the victims, the release stated. “Police hope someone will be able to provide the critical piece of information that helps us provide some closure to their families.”
Anyone with information on the cold case is asked to call Westminster police at 303-658-4360. Tips can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (STOP). A $4,000 reward is offered.