A 60-year-old man from Aurora, Colorado, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder following the shooting death of his common-law wife.
According to the Aurora Police Department (APD), officers responded to a 911 call around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, during which a man claimed he had fatally shot his partner inside their shared apartment.
Police located the caller, later identified as Phil Jay Atchue, at a bus stop on Chambers Road—just a short distance from the couple’s residence on South Ivory Circle. Upon questioning, Atchue admitted to the shooting.
Investigators say the incident actually occurred around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, roughly 38 hours before Atchue contacted authorities. When officers entered the apartment, they found a 61-year-old woman deceased with apparent gunshot wounds. A firearm was also recovered at the scene.
Atchue was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and booked into custody. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will determine the formal charges.
The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s identity following notification of next of kin and an autopsy.
The investigation remains ongoing.
