Thornton police say Colorado conservation fundraiser Cheyenne Gililland was killed in her Thornton home in March and that her death has been ruled a homicide. Gililland, 43, was found dead alongside her husband, 42-year-old Chad Gililland, who authorities say died by suicide at the scene. The Adams County coroner later determined that her death involved closed-head injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma.
Police And Coroner Detail What Happened
According to a press release posted by the Thornton Police Department, officers were dispatched on March 23 to a home in the 13200 block of Downing Street after a report of a shooting. Cheyenne Gililland was pronounced dead at the scene, and Chad Gililland later died by suicide.
The release states that on Wednesday, the Adams County coroner ruled her manner of death a homicide and listed blunt-force head trauma as the cause. Detectives, working with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said they established probable cause that Chad was responsible. Because he died at the scene, investigators say the case has been closed.
Community Remembers Her Conservation Work
Colorado Trout Unlimited, where Gililland served as Philanthropy Director, published a memorial in March that called her “a valued part of this community” and highlighted her fundraising and outreach efforts. Colleagues remembered her as the connector between donors and river-restoration projects around Colorado, someone who helped move money and attention toward the state’s waterways.
Case Closed, No Charges To Be Filed
Thornton detectives submitted their findings to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which investigators say agreed there was probable cause tying the suspect to the killing. With the suspect deceased, prosecutors will not pursue criminal charges, and police say the investigative file is now complete.
Where Survivors And Community Members Can Turn
The Thornton Police Department notes that support is available for anyone affected by violence or loss. The department’s Victim Services unit can be reached at 720-977-5150, as listed on its Victim Services page. Officials are also asking anyone with additional information about the case to contact the department’s tip line at 720-977-5069, with further details on the contact page.
National resources include the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, legal advocacy through Project Safeguard at psghelps.org, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone in immediate crisis.
Police Say There Is No Ongoing Threat
Thornton police say there is no ongoing threat to the public tied to this case. They are still encouraging anyone who may have relevant information to call the tip line. The department’s Facebook post carries the full press release along with contact information for those seeking help or hoping to share what they know.
