In the early hours of March 30, 2008, officers in Denver found 49-year-old John Chavez down in an alley in the 200 block of Inca Street with significant head wounds. He was taken to a hospital but died of blunt force trauma to the skull; the death was ruled a homicide. The Denver Police Department opened an investigation into the fatal assault and later classified the case as solved, though no suspects have been publicly named and no arrests have been announced.

The Cold Case Unit is continuing to seek information that could lead to arrest and prosecution, and a reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for tips that assist investigators. If anyone has information about Chavez, his movements that night, or witnesses who were in the area, please contact the Denver Police Cold Case Unit.