Photo: Facebook
A 17-year-old from Colorado was reported missing in December 2017 after she didn’t show up to an evening concert at her high school. That same night, her remains were found in her burned down Bailey home.
Over a year later, investigators — including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) –are still searching for the suspects involved in Long’s death.
On Monday, the Park County Sheriff’s Office released new updates on the case with Sheriff Tom McGraw revealing that Long was “purposely set on fire and burned alive.”
During a press conference at the CBI, McGraw stated that at least three male suspects are still at large. “We believe this was a targeted crime,” McGraw said, according tofootagefrom local news outletKDVR. “Maggie was purposely set on fire and burned alive.”
Maggie Long.Facebook
On December 1, 2017, police were called to a house fire at the Long residence where the 911 caller said people were inside causing damage,according to the police. McGraw said the suspects spent a “significant amount of time inside the home.”
Investigators allege a physical altercation took place between the victim and her assailants before the fire started and believe the fire was started to conceal the alleged physical altercation and robbery.
“Your support means a lot to me. I miss Maggie Long everyday [sic],” Maggie’s sister Lynna wrote onFacebookMonday. “We will attain justice for Maggie.”
Park County Sheriff’s Office (2)
Police released a new sketch of the second alleged suspect but noted that the men may have changed their physical appearances since the incident. It has yet to be determined if Long knew the suspects.
A spokesperson for the Park County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
In addition to the new updates, McGraw revealed that the reward for information in Long’s case has increased to $50,000.
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In December 2017, Dr. Brenda Krage, Superintendent of Platte Canyon High School called Long a “vibrant young student leader.”
“Today is a very difficult day for our community. … Maggie Long was a vibrant young student leader whose absence will be ever present. To say that she will be greatly missed is an understatement. Our heartfelt prayers are with the Long family during this difficult time,” Dr. Krage wrote on the school’s Facebook.
Any information and anonymous tips can be submitted atMaggieLongTaskForce.comor the Park County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-239-4243.
source: people.com
