DENVER - The 1997 cold-case murder of Surle Goldfogel has been solved as of Friday, just over 18 years after her death. The suspect, Jonathan Clinton, died in 2003 of a heroin overdose.
Goldfogel was beaten to death in her home on Jan. 24, 1997 in the Crestmoor neighborhood in East Denver.
Police say Goldfogel went to the supermarket that night. Sometime after she returned home, she was attacked by Clinton, who was 20 years old at the time of the crime.
Nothing expensive was missing from the home, and police could not explain why Clinton would have bludgeoned the 67-year-old woman.
Denver Police Commander Ron Saunier said investigators believed Clinton killed Goldfogel because she knew who he was. Clinton and his mother lived across the street at the time, according to court records.
Clinton was no stranger to the law. He has a few charges for assault, disturbing the peace and drug and weapons possession.
According to authorities on Friday, Clinton's mother knew about the crime but did not tell police about it until the accessory after the fact statute of limitations had expired.
Jonathan Clinton was contacted early on in the investigation, but his mother was his alibi.
Authorities say the case was ultimately solved by a tip they received after Clinton's mother told someone and her confession then spread to others.
"Unfortunately there are two individuals that have committed crimes in this situation," Denver DA Mitch Morrissey said. "Obviously the horrible beating that Mr. Clinton gave to his victim in her own home, but also his mother who then covered up for him. [She] knew he did this and basically didn't come forward until detective [Troy'] Bisgard got her to finally tell him the truth about what happened in this situation."
9NEWS obtained criminal records for. She has drug charges among other crimes listed. She was arrested as late as 2013.
9NEWS found Jill Clinton at her home Friday morning. She declined to talk, referring 9NEWS to her lawyer. We reached out to the person Clinton named as her attorney via phone and email, but haven't heard back.
The victim's family released this statement:
"18 years is a brutally long time to live with pain and uncertainty. Nearly 7,000 sunrises, countless missed weddings, births and holidays each tainted by loss and grief that we couldn't reconcile. The uncertainty was daunting and the senseless brutality unimaginable. Time and circumstance have erased the chance for real justice. All that's left is any solace and closure that comes with finally knowing the truth. There were those who knew and stayed silent which only served to generate more pain for an already raw and tattered family. Then there were those who did the right thing, came forward and spoke up, and to them we are eternally grateful. Commander Saunier refused to let this case be buried and forgotten. Detective Bisgard was dogged, tireless and relentless in his pursuit of a case nearly two decades old. Their spirit, tenacity and dedication represent all that was best about Surle and virtues she would have valued and appreciated the most. Thank you for not allowing her to be forgotten."
(KUSA-TV © 2015 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
