John Nygaard was found dead on May 24, 1977, near the entrance to the Chieftain Mine just west of Lakewood Motorcycle Park in Jefferson County, Colorado. Workers arriving at the gate about 6:40 a.m. discovered his body; he had last been seen the previous evening, May 23, leaving his apartment building at 1250 Lafayette Street at about 9:00 p.m.

Witnesses reported Nygaard left that night in the company of an unknown White male, described as about 25 to 35 years old and between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall; some witnesses thought he wore a cowboy hat and had a moustache, and investigators produced composite images from those accounts. Nygaard, originally from Iowa, had lived in the Denver area less than a year and worked as a morning carrier for the Denver Post, which is why his absence the next morning drew attention. He was also affiliated with the Metropolitan Community Church.

No arrests, charges, trials, or convictions are reported and the case is listed as cold. If anyone knew Nygaard, the man seen with him that night, or has information about the area near 15000 West Alameda Parkway in May 1977, please come forward.