October 25, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 68, Issue 1
Murder suspect arrested Juvenile to face charges in Ridgeway case By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
The marquee for Chelsea Park in Westminster is covered and surrounded by an outpouring of items from the community as a memorial for Jessica Ridgeway Sunday.
Community remembers Jessica Faith Bible holds celebration of life By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews. com Jessica Ridgeway is remembered by her family as the light of the room, always smiling and bringing smiles to others. She had a love for animals, music and dancing and her silly personality always kept her friends and family on their toes. The 10-year-old girl’s life was taken too soon after she was abducted on Oct. 5 and killed. Her family, friends and hundreds of people from the community came together on Oct. 16 to celebrate her life at Faith Bible Church in Arvada before news of the arrest of Austin Reed Cigg. Stories were shared and tears were shed. “Above all, Jessica loved people and she loved animals. Her family describes her as the most joyful part of the room,” said Pastor Rick Long, from Grace Church of Arvada, who led the ceremony. “She loved Disney and cared for everyone around her. She also loved holidays and would always get excited to decorate.” Jessica was born on Jan. 23, 2002. She attended Witt Elementary School in Westminster and she lived with her
A passenger on a motorcycle gives the peace sign while riding in a memorial car and bike cruise for Jessica Ridgeway Sunday in Westminster Sunday. Photos by Andy Carpenean mom, Sarah Ridgeway. One of her favorite activities was watching her cousins play softball. Every weekend in the summer Jessica would cheer for her cousins and spend time with her friend, Beverly Sternberg. “We would sit together and watch her cousins play softball,” Sternberg said. “She was one of the happiest little girls I
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have ever known. She was always doing silly things. It was easy to see how cherished and loved our little baby girl was.” As the search for a suspect continues, hundreds of law enforcement personnel are working around the clock on thousands of leads. During the ceremony, Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk gave his word that the department will not stop until justice is found for Jessica. “As I stand in front of you, I represent hundreds of officers who are working on this case,”
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he said. “We feel like we knew Jessica, and it feels like we have lost part of our family. I want to leave you all with the assurance that we are working tirelessly and diligently and are committed until we find justice for Jessica.” The ceremony also featured a video montage of photos of Jessica as well as musical performances from loved ones. People in the audience wore her favorite color, purple, to remind the community to never forget Jessica.
A 17-year-old Westminster boy was arrested Tuesday for the murder of 10-yearold Jessica Ridgeway. Austin Sigg, an Arapahoe Community College student, will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and a second-degree kidnapping charge, among others and was scheduled for his first court appearance today in Jefferson County. During a press conference on Wednesday, Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said after working Sigg non-stop on the case since her disappearance on Oct. 5, he believes a significant step was made in bringing justice to Ridgeway. “I would like to thank the community for the thousands of tips they have provided us in this case,” he said. “Those tips have been instrumental in the case. And I would also like to thank the community for the tremendous public outpouring of support.” The Ridgeway family was notified of the arrest Wednesday morning. Birk said he hopes the arrest can bring some comfort to the family and the community. Investigator Trevor Materasso said Sigg will also be charged for the attempted abduction of a young woman on May 28, who was jogging around Ketner Lake in Westminster. Police confirmed a direct link between the two cases on Monday. According to the arrest report, Sigg lives at 10786 Moore St. in Westminster, about a mile-and-a half from Ridgeway’s home, near West 107th Avenue and Moore Street. Ridgeway was last seen by her mother around 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, walking down the driveway of her home. Her body was found days later in the Pattridge Park Open Space area in Arvada. “Police are blocking access to Sigg’s home and a search warrant has been issued,” Materasso said. Police encourage the community call the tip line with any information that could be connected to the case. Tips can be given to the Westminster Police Department tip center by calling 303-6584336 or by sending an email to PDamberalert@cityofwestminster.us.
Westminster Police chief Lee Birk addresses the news media at a press conference Wednesday after an arrest was made in the Jessica Ridgeway case. Photo by Andy Carpenean