The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit is seeking public assistance in resolving the 1981 murder of 29-year-old James “Jim” Ihm, according to a Thursday release and X post.
The announcement comes 43 years after Ihm’s body was found in unincorporated Douglas County.
Richard “Rick” Eastridge of Littleton was arrested in November 2023 for his alleged participation in Ihm’s murder. Police say that evidence recovered in 1981 and analyzed in 2023 and multiple witness statements led to Eastridge’s arrest. Eastridge also allegedly confessed and implicated himself and others who planned to rob Ihm of a large amount of marijuana, which police say resulted in Ihm’s murder.
On Feb. 20, 1981, Ihm allegedly planned to meet Eastridge and others at the Brazenhead Inn in Woodland Park to finalize the details of Ihm’s marijuana sale before traveling to a secluded area for the final transaction, according to police. Ihm was shot to death and his body was found on March 8, 1981 near Fern Creek Road, one mile east of Colorado 67.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit asks anyone with information to call 303-660-7528 or email coldcasetips@dcsheriff.net.
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