A Colorado man has been indicted on murder and related charges in connection with the death of his estranged wife, more than two years after her body was found in what authorities initially believed was a suicide.
Ronald Lowry, 52, was charged with first-degree murder and multiple other offenses after investigators determined that his estranged wife, Richelle “Chelle” Lowry, 42, did not take her own life, the 18th District Attorney’s office announced Friday. Ronald Lowry was booked into the Morgan County Jail without bond.
On October 26, 2023, deputies from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at Richelle Lowry’s Bennett home after she missed work and could not be reached. When authorities forced entry, they found her dead from a single gunshot to the head, with her phone submerged in water. Her death occurred just days before she was set to finalize her divorce from Lowry.
At the time, officials could not determine the cause of death, and early reports treated it as a possible suicide.
An autopsy later revealed that Richelle Lowry died from a close-range gunshot wound to the head, CBS Colorado reports. Investigators also noted “suspicious” bruising on her body and a large hematoma on her forehead, suggesting prior trauma. While the initial autopsy ruled her death a homicide, the final report listed the cause as “undetermined.”
Following a detailed review of forensic and digital evidence, the medical examiner officially ruled the death a homicide and reissued her death certificate. Forensic testing included DNA swabs taken after her death, which detected male DNA in two locations. However, the samples were too low quality to link them to a specific person, the outlet reports.
Investigators also learned that Richelle Lowry had expressed fear for her life to a neighbor, reporting threats from friends of her ex-husband. Others close to Richelle Lowry later confirmed that she had warned them of potential danger, per CBS Colorado.
Her parents told police that Ronald Lowry contacted them shortly after her death, claiming she had died by suicide. They said Richelle Lowry had a history of depression and had grown increasingly paranoid during the divorce process, but family and friends did not believe she was suicidal, according to the outlet.
Court documents indicate that Richelle Lowery confided in multiple people that she had overheard Ronald Lowry and his brother discussing the death of his brother’s wife, making her fear that her ex-husband might harm her. She also reported receiving threats from his friends.
A financial review in November 2025 revealed that Ronald Lowry would have inherited $1,1334,504 if Richelle Lowry’s death had been classified as a suicide, per CBS Colorado. Because he remains a suspect, authorities disinherited him from her estate.
Authorities allege that Ronald Lowry developed jealousy and an obsession after the couple separated. Court records cited by law enforcement show he monitored Richelle Lowry’s activities, including recording her with a new boyfriend at a golf course before her death, according to records reviewed by 9News.
Friends told investigators that Richelle Lowry had repeatedly insisted she would never take her own life and warned that if anything happened to her, her estranged husband would be responsible.
“[If] anything happened to her, Ronald would be responsible. Richelle was very adamant that she would not kill herself,” court records state, according to KUSA.
In addition to murder, Ronald Lowry faces multiple other charges, including two counts of stalking, tampering with evidence, and two violent-crime counts — one for causing serious bodily harm or death and another for using a deadly weapon.
Prosecutors in the 18th Judicial District praised the exhaustive investigation that led to the indictment, calling it the result of careful forensic work and persistence by law enforcement.
“The return of this indictment marks an important step in the pursuit of justice for Richelle Lowry,” 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden said in Friday’s news release. “My office remains committed to holding individuals accountable when that evidence supports criminal charges.”
“They left no stone unturned in their pursuit of the truth, carefully examining every piece of forensic, digital, and testimonial evidence over the course of this investigation. Their commitment to seeking answers and refusing to give up has been instrumental in bringing this case forward,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley added.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
