On October 28, 2022, around 2:30 a.m., 46-year-old Rachel Holmes was found dead from a gunshot wound in the parking area of a strip mall at 6360 South Parker Road in Aurora, Colorado. First responders located her near a semi-truck and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

An Iowa-based truck driver, 42-year-old John Thoren, called 911 shortly after the shooting and said he had acted in self-defense. Thoren, who had been sleeping in his truck’s cab after a delivery, told police Holmes was throwing rocks at his vehicle, that he warned her and showed his firearm, and that she charged at him, prompting him to fire. Investigators reported Thoren cooperated, said he did not know Holmes, and found no significant damage to his truck.

Holmes had prior arrests for offenses including disorderly conduct and assault, with several charges later dropped following mental health evaluations. She had been released on personal recognizance four days before her death after an arrest for disturbing the peace. Does anyone have information about Holmes that could help explain what led to that parking-lot encounter?