Greeley, Colorado – The community of Weld County is grappling with grief and frustration following the tragic discovery of 18-year-old Carlos Retana, whose body was found near the intersection of Weld County Road 59 and Weld County Road 10 on August 11, 2024. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identity of the deceased after a search that began with a missing person report filed on August 10, 2024.
Carlos Retana was reported missing from his residence in Keenesburg, CO, after a single-vehicle crash occurred earlier that day. The crash, which took place around 12:44 a.m. on August 10th, involved damage to a fence and an unoccupied parked vehicle, but no occupants were present when deputies arrived. Despite efforts by the sheriff’s office, including deploying a drone to search the crash area, Carlos remained missing until the following day.
The news of Carlos’s death has led to an outpouring of emotions on social media, where friends, family, and community members expressed their sorrow and anger. Sandy Saltzman, who knew Carlos personally, wrote, "Carlos was a wonderful, respectful, amazing kid! I’m so blessed to have met him and enjoyed his smile in my life! Shame on the department for failing him and his family."
Criticism towards the Weld County Sheriff’s Office has been growing, particularly regarding their handling of the initial search. LeAnn Nelson, a local resident, commented, "WCSO failed this poor kid and family miserably! We live within a mile of this accident and were outside and out and about all weekend and not once during daylight did we see a single sheriff in the area until they were called out once he was found."
The Weld County Sheriff’s Office addressed these concerns in a press release, explaining that a K-9 unit was not deployed due to contamination of the crash scene by human scent, which hindered the effectiveness of such a search. Despite these explanations, many in the community remain critical of the response.
Adrienne Epple-Barclay praised the community’s support during this difficult time, stating, "Kudos to the community for coming together for this family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family."
As the investigation continues, the Weld County Coroner’s Office is working to determine the exact cause and manner of Carlos Retana’s death, including toxicology testing. The case remains active and ongoing, with further details yet to be released.
The death of Carlos Retana has not only brought a wave of sorrow to the community but also raised questions about the adequacy of the local authorities’ response during critical moments.