IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. — Two weeks after Paul Peavey, a local dog breeder, was found dead on his property, the small mountain town of Idaho Springs once again united—this time, not to search for him, but to honor his memory.
Dozens of community members gathered Saturday evening at Courtney Riley Cooper Park for a candlelit vigil to remember Peavey, 63, who was reported missing last month. His body was discovered during a community-organized search party. Among the attendees were many of Peavey’s family members, including his children, who flew in from out of state to join the gathering.
Peavey’s death has shaken the town, not only because of the loss but because of the violent circumstances surrounding it. Last week, police arrested 36-year-old Sergio Ferrer, charging him with Peavey’s murder. According to an arrest affidavit, Ferrer told police he shot Peavey in self-defense, but some in the community remain skeptical.
Gary Burke, one of the first to find Peavey’s body during the search, said what he saw didn’t align with Ferrer’s account.
“Not judging by what I saw when we did the search party, I don’t think that’s how it went down…It looks like he might’ve had multiple gunshot wounds.” Burke said Peavey’s shoes were up the hill, as if he had been running.
Police noted in their report that Peavey’s body was found covered in pine needles and dirt, appearing as though it had been dragged down a hill.
Despite the ongoing investigation and questions surrounding his death, the vigil was focused on celebrating Peavey’s life and the light he brought to the community. Earlier in the day, Burke and Cimian Ferguson, the organizer of the vigil, made over 100 candles for attendees to light in his honor.
“I think it’s really neat to see the community come together to support one another,” said Ferguson. “It really sucks the reason why.”
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, friends and neighbors gathered to share memories of Peavey. A spread of food was laid out alongside a memorial with photos of Peavey, and a notebook was placed for people to leave notes of remembrance.
“He raised a family. He raised children. Was a small businessman with a hot dog cart, he became a painter, he raised championship, European Dobermans… Being the best person he could… I feel shaken to know that he's gone and that that was what happened,” said Richard Levine, a longtime friend of Peavey’s and the event’s main speaker.
Levine was not surprised by the turnout at the vigil, given how beloved Peavey was in the town. He said it’s Peavey’s booming laughter that he will miss most.
“His laughter could have filled this canyon. It was a huge, big laugh,” Levine said. “He was just a big personality with a huge amount of joy in his heart.”
Peavey’s family, though not ready to speak publicly, attended the vigil, with his three children planning to care for their father’s beloved Dobermans.
“Those dogs were more to him than just breeding dogs,” Burke said. “They were his life.”
However, not all of Peavey’s dogs have been accounted for. Eight of his Doberman puppies remain missing, a point of growing concern in the community.
According to the arrest affidavit, Ferrer denied selling any of Peavey’s dogs. But a woman told police she paid a man with the Cash App username "Ferrer Ferrer" for a Doberman puppy. Authorities are continuing to ask for the public’s help in locating the missing dogs.
Ferrer is being held in the Clear Creek County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 18.
As the investigation continues, the town of Idaho Springs is left waiting for answers, but on Saturday evening, they found solace in coming together — honoring a man whose absence is felt deeply by those who knew and loved him.
For those with information about this case, or any recently acquired Doberman puppies, contact the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office.