One year after Thornton residents Chad and Kendra Anderson were found shot to death inside their burning home, the case remains unsolved and the family says the absence still hangs over every gathering.
Scene and early findings
According to the Denver Gazette, Thornton police officers and firefighters were called to a house fire in the 16300 block of Columbine Street in the Orchard Farms neighborhood around 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2025. Inside, they found Chad and Kendra with apparent gunshot wounds.
Investigators later determined the fire was set on purpose to cover up the crime, and the Adams County coroner ruled both deaths homicides, the Denver Gazette reported.
Reward and renewed plea
Hoping money might shake loose a crucial tip, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers and local donors have put up a reward of up to $12,000 for information that leads to an arrest, according to CBS Colorado.
CBS Colorado reports the total includes an anonymous private contribution, and that anyone who comes forward can remain anonymous while still being eligible for the cash.
Family marks the anniversary
In a Facebook reel shared on Feb. 26 by the Thornton Police Department, relatives wrote that “one year later, the loss still feels heavy,” describing the lingering reminders of the couple’s absence: empty seats, missed phone calls, and milestones they say Chad and Kendra “should be here to see.”
The family’s public message urges anyone who knows anything, no matter how small it might seem, to contact law enforcement or Crime Stoppers.
Investigation status
Thornton police say the investigation is still active, but have kept a tight lid on additional details and have not announced any arrests, according to KKTV.
The couple’s dogs were also found dead in the burned home, officials told KKTV, a detail that hit particularly hard for those who knew how central the pets were to the household.
How to submit tips
Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or submit a tip through the online form at Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may qualify for the reward.
Community impact
Neighbors and supporters rallied quickly in the days after the killings. The initial GoFundMe set up for the family pulled in tens of thousands of dollars within days, the Denver Gazette reported.
For the family, the one-year mark is less a milestone than a reminder that the case is still open, the questions are still unanswered, and someone out there knows what happened inside that Orchard Farms home.
