Paige Birgfeld, Mother of 3, Found as Skeletal Remains
The skeletal remains found by a hiker in west Colorado have been identified as Paige Birgfeld, a mother of three who was reported missing in 2007.
The remains were found in Wells Gulch, Colorado along with articles of clothing that could serve as possible evidence in a case that has yet to be resolved. The 34-year-old woman was last seen on June 30th in 2007. On the next day her car was found burning in a parking lot. As a result of the fire, few clues were left behind although foul play was suspected.
Birgfeld was a mother of three who owned an acupuncture business and worked part-time as a sales consultant for the Pampered Chef. It was at first believed that she supported her family solely with her two jobs, however, it was later unveiled through police investigation that she was also working as an online escort.
The new revelation led police to investigate Lester Ralph Jones, a 56 year-old-man that had used Birgfeld's escort service. Two warrants were granted to search his house, but no charges were ever filed.
Investigators have stated that the new evidence will be helpful to the case.
"Everything has changed in the last 24 to 48 hours," Sgt. Matt Lewis of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office told the Huffington Post. "We have new directions to take, [and] we hope this discovery will bring some closure to the family and the community that has been so involved in the search for her over the years."
Although the case was ruled as a homicide, no cause of death has been declared.
"[We have] no idea at this point," Lewis said. "That will absolutely depend on the tests [they have to perform]. We may even employ the services of a forensic pathologist in assisting with that. It could take weeks [or] months. We don't have an estimate at this time," Lewis added.
