Suspect taken into custody for homicide at Mirror Lake

LARAMIE (WNE) — After weeks of questions, a break has been made in the homicide case at Mirror Lake.

Jaymz Bitner was taken into custody by Gilpin County Sheriff ’s Office in Colorado on July 28 in connection with the homicide of his father, James Bitner, according to a Facebook post by the Albany County Sheriff ’s Office on Sunday.

James was discovered deceased on July 4, wrapped in a tarp at Mirror Lake on the Snowy Range summit near Wyoming Highway 130. Initially he was referred to as John Doe, but following an autopsy on July 25, he was identified.

ACSO has since reclassified the investigation as a case of disposal of human remains; however, the homicide case is still being pursued in Colorado.

The ACSO Facebook post on Sunday stated: “Due to the ongoing investigation, the Albany County Sheriff ’s Office cannot provide additional information at this time. We acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding work of detectives McKinney and Curtis for their tireless efforts and meticulous investigation, resulting in a pivotal breakthrough in this case. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected, and are committed to finding out the truth involving this matter.”

This story was published on August 6, 2024.