Boulder County, Colo. - On December 17, 2025, a jury found Jimmy West guilty of Murder in the Second-Degree. The case proceed to immediate sentencing and the defendant was sentenced to 96 years in the Department of Corrections, with 5 years parole.

Just after 5 p.m. on July 14, 2024, officers were called to the 1800 block of Goss Street for an unusual bike trailer that had been there for several days. As officers investigated further, they found a body wrapped in multiple layers on the bike trailer. The female victim, who detectives believe was unhoused, was identified as Zaria Hardee, 19 years old. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office later determined that she had been killed by a blow to the head.

Following her identification, detectives worked diligently to retrace her last steps, determine where she died and who she was with. The investigation was made much more difficult because of the circumstances and the time that had elapsed between her murder and the discovery of her body. On January 30, 2025, Jimmy West (DOB: 7/23/72) was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder (F1) and Human Trafficking (F3). Yesterday, the jury found Mr. West guilty of Second-Degree Murder. Although the jury did not find the defendant guilty of Murder in the First Degree, they did not adopt the defendant’s assertion that another person had killed Ms. Hardee. They agreed with the prosecution; the defendant is responsible for killing Ms. Hardee.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “The entire team worked incredibly hard to make this outcome possible. It was a difficult case from the start, but the tireless efforts of the Boulder Police Department and our office helped secure justice for the victim in this tragic case. Ms. Hardee died far too young; the murder and disposal of her body was horrific. Now, the defendant will face the consequences for his actions. We truly appreciate the service of all the jurors, especially during the holiday season.”

“This was a horrific murder and it was a challenging investigation to work—let alone arrest a suspect—based upon the involved individuals, and difficult scene,” Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said. “I am very proud of each of our officers and detectives who responded to and investigated this crime, especially our detectives and criminalists who worked so diligently to get justice for this young and vulnerable victim. This is why we serve our community.”