DNA evidence connects 1987 cold case to Colorado’s most notorious serial killer.
In a significant development nearly four decades after the discovery of 30-year-old Rhonda Marie Fisher’s body along a rural highway in Colorado, law enforcement has implicated one of the state’s most notorious serial killers through advanced DNA evidence. Fisher was found deceased on April 1, 1987, approximately 35 miles south of Denver, following a violent assault that culminated in her strangulation and subsequent disposal down an embankment.
Law enforcement agencies conducted an exhaustive investigation into Fisher’s murder, exploring all possible leads, including connections with acquaintances and several known serial offenders active in the region during that time. Among those considered were Vincent Darrell Groves and another unidentified man. However, the lack of DNA corroboration left the case unresolved for years.
Despite numerous efforts and periodic case reviews, including a renewed DNA analysis in 2017 that failed to yield sufficient material, the investigation remained stagnant. Fast forward to 2025, when the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit reopened the inquiry, meticulously re-evaluating all evidence. The team made a breakthrough by recovering DNA from inside paper bags placed over Fisher’s hands during the initial investigation, a technique described by Sheriff Darren Weekly as “exceptionally rare.”
The DNA analysis ultimately linked the evidence to Groves, who is already linked to at least three murders dating back to 1979. He is believed to be responsible for a series of at least 12 homicides, an attempted murder, and a sexual assault across the Denver metro area between 1978 and 1988. With Fisher’s case now under his list of alleged crimes, law enforcement estimates Groves may have had as many as 20 victims throughout his criminal career.
Vincent Groves was initially convicted of murder in 1982 but was released after a brief period of incarceration, only to commit further violent offenses. He subsequently faced two additional murder convictions in 1988, which led to a longer prison sentence until his death in 1996.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office expressed hope that this long-awaited revelation brings closure to the family and friends of Rhonda Fisher. The investigation underscores the commitment of investigators, forensic professionals, and cold case specialists to seek justice for victims and their loved ones, often enduring prolonged periods in the quest for answers. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the numerous unsolved cases that continue to impact communities across the nation.
