BAILEY, Colo. — Maggie Long, 17, was found dead in her family's burned down Park County home on Dec. 1, 2017— six years later, the case of her killing remains unsolved.
But investigators are still working hard to change that, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a release Thursday.
“Our quest for justice for Maggie remains steadfast,” said Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw in the release. “The dedicated members of the Maggie Long Task Force, including the Park County Sheriff’s Office, the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and our state and federal partners have never stopped the search for those responsible for Maggie’s death and will continue to follow every lead until we find resolution in this case.”
On Dec. 1, 2017, Long left Platte Canyon High School, where she was finishing up her last academic year. She had plans to return with some water and cookies for a concert she helped organize.
She stopped at her family home along Country Road 43 near Bailey, where investigators said she was attacked before the house was set on fire.
The FBI announced Long's death was being investigated as a potential hate crime in 2021.
Investigators believe at least three men were involved in a break-in and later set a fire that burned Long's home. According to investigators, the men stole a 9mm pistol, an AK-style rifle and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, among other things.
On Friday, Maggie's sister, Lynna Long, said the family has been waiting for any tip that would break the case.
"Hopefully, the other motivation is just to help us come to some sort of conclusion," Lynna Long said.
Every Dec. 1 is difficult for the family but living the way their sister lived is their own sense of justice, she said.
"The way that she had that endless hopefulness, effervescence and optimism," Lynna Long said.
In 2019, the FBI released sketches of potential suspects, but detectives told 9NEWS there wasn't much credence in the drawings in 2022.
Now, in 2023, the investigation continues.
“As we’ve stated previously, someone has that key piece of information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible for Maggie’s murder,” Sheriff McGraw said in the release. “It will take one person with one piece of information that will help our investigative team bring resolution to this case for Maggie, her family and the Bailey community.”
The CBI, along with other law enforcement agencies and Long's family, is offering a $75,000 reward in this case— the CBI is asking anyone with information to call the Maggie Long Task Force tip line at (303) 239-4243 or email them at maggie.long.tips@state.co.us. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS