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Twenty-five years after a man’s death is ruled suicide, an autopsy reveals he was murdered.  Leroy Drieth  Was Leroy’s death an “auto suicide?” CASE DETAILS On Memorial Day, 1968, 18-year old Leroy Drieth had just left his girlfriend’s house in Mead, Colorado, when his car slammed into a tree He was killed instantly. The coroner’s ruling was suicide. Twenty-five years later, at his family’s request, Leroy’s body was exhumed for an autopsy. Leroy’s sister, Vickie Mahrling, had always been convinced that her brother was murdered:
 Leroy’s sister, Vickie, investigated Leroy was the oldest of four children. At the age of 17, he fell in love with sixteen-year-old, Patty. A year later, they were engaged. On the day he died, Leroy went to a party at Patty’s house. He left the party in the late afternoon. A block and a half away, his car smashed head-on into a tree. The first people on the scene were Leroy’s brother and his father, Henry:
When medics arrived, a bystander made a comment that Leroy had fought with his girlfriend and that he had said he was going to kill himself. Delbert Mikkelson was the ambulance driver:
 Leroy’s body was exhumed Based on that information, the coroner decided no autopsy was necessary. He called Leroy’s death “auto suicide.” Freda Bruce is Leroy’s mother:
For eleven-year-old Vickie, Leroy’s death was the defining moment in her life:
In June of 1988, Vickie paid a surprise visit to the coroner’s office. She expected to be stonewalled. Instead, they told her they thought that Leroy’s death hadn’t been fully investigated. According to Vickie, the coroner suggested that she hire a private investigator:
 A startling discovery; knife wounds! Vickie became her own investigator. She knocked on doors, talked to neighbors, and looked for anyone who knew Leroy’s girlfriend , Patty, or remembered the day he died:
Vickie placed an ad in the local paper asking Patty to contact her. It worked. When they met, Patty denied that she ever told anyone that she and Leroy had fought and that he said he was going to take his life. But, according to Vickie, that’s all Patty was willing to say:
Vickie and her family decided to have Leroy’s body exhumed, hoping an autopsy might provide some answers. Dr. Patrick Allen, a forensic pathologist and medical examiner, examined the body and made a shocking discovery:
Vickie was stunned. Leroy’s neck showed two cuts: a stab wound, nearly two inches long, and a deep, four-inch slash that had severed his windpipe. Based on this information, the cause of Leroy’s death was changed from “auto suicide” to “undetermined.” But who had attacked Leroy and why? Vickie Mahrling thinks Patty knows the truth:
Leroy arrived for the barbeque at around five 5:00 P.M. Patty’s former sister-in-law,
After the argument, Patty walked Leroy to his car. Vickie thinks that just before he left, Leroy was attacked by one of Patty’s family members:
Patrick Allen thinks Leroy was fleeing for his life when he crashed:
Vickie claims that Patty contacted her again and offered to provide an account of the party. But when Vickie called to set up a meeting, she found that Patty’s phone had been disconnected. Vickie is still hoping that Patty will come forward with the truth. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season eight with Robert Stack and in season four with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Steve
Considering how crappy the cops did, it’s only fair to kinda assume they NEVER said about a knife or sharp object at the scene of the crime. Doesn’t seem like they checked or told the family either. So he probably took himself out before hitting the tree because his father (or whomever the person was that said “a nice white girl”).
Anonymous
Colorado once again. The state that is so soft on crime, they may as well legalize murder. This was an obvious aggravated assault. But they don’t call it that in Colorado. They just say first degree assault. Which is only an 8 to 20 year sentence. He obviously was running for his life. And with the non cooperating they should have just charged first degree murder. (So they could bargain for assault which is what it probably was.)
Steve
Vickie, I am so sorry for your loss. This is what’s so frustrating about there being no federal oversight for local law enforcement agencies. There needs to be an objective, outside of the community (meaning not a part of the “good old’ boy network “) agency for the families of victims to go to, that has the authority to reopen cases and issues subpoenas. Had there been such an agency and they put Patty under oath, I bet this would be an entirely different story.
It is suspicious that her phone number was suddenly disconnected. Do you have her address? Are you able to go see Patty?
Erick
I don’t think patty is alive currently, as soon as I read her phone number was disconnected I fear she met with foul play.. You need to find out if she’s alive, if not I would rest knowing her family was responsible for hers and Leroy’s death.
Kandi
Patty is still alive and currently living in Denver.
Crystal D Ayers
I pray that Vikki family find closure
Vickie
Thank you for watching and commenting! Thank you m for caring. If the police would have done their jobs then, now and every year in between, this case would be solved!
L. G.
God Bless you too Vickie!!! MUCH LOVE! 🙂
Vickie
Hi everyone, this is Vickie, Leroy’s sister. Thank you all that have left comments! It has been over 50 years now, I am still heartbroken. I am still ashamed at the so called police investigation, then and now! Four years ago, a male called in and said he needed to get this off his chest, he said his friend told him, first hand, that he was there and witnessed the murder! However, when the sheriff department reached out to him, he didn’t want to talk. They reached out to Patty, and she didn’t want to talk. AND, that was the end of the investigation, again! So I just want to thank all of you, and God Bless all of us!
Shnnygirl
This case makes me so angry! How can the police get away with doing absolutely nothing to find out what happened to Leroy? How can Patty live with herself knowing she can give peace and closure to Leroy’s family, yet continues to protect a murderer? So much for loving your fiance, Patty! I hope you’ve had the life you deserve! To Leroy’s sister, the love, time, and energy you’ve exerted in trying to bring justice to Leroy is beautiful and inspiring. I pray for peace for you and your family.
Anonymous
The entire state of Colorado is a joke. A driver was sentenced to 120 years because he had bad brakes killing 5 people in an accident. But if he would of stabbed someone he probably would of only got probation. Or in this case never even investigated. They are more hard on traffic then violent criminals.
Colleen Miller
I just can’t believe this hadn’t been solved. Pull the girlfriend in and put the screws to her, she must know something. I hope his family gets answers and I hope people keep sharing this case.
Brigitte
How can “guy in the hat” say let it go. That’s someone’s son and brother and they deserve to know. I saw this years ago on unsolved mysteries when I was a teenager and just saw it again and I’m almost 40 years old. I can’t believe it’s still unsolved. The so called bystander had to be a part of it that way the police wouldn’t investigate. It’s been fifty years it’s time for this family to get closure. I pray for his family and I pray that someone will come forward.
Vixeen
Just watched Leroy’s story today (1-26-20) and I think it is so very sad that this hasn’t been solved! It seems very obvious that Patty knows who did this and is protecting her family. After so much time you would think someone would be decent enough to give this family closure!
Subpoena Patty
Vicky, I am heartbroken this case didn’t receive more attention after this segment aired. I was hoping to find an update. I am baffled as to why Patty is not being called in and questioned if not privately by a private investigator. Is Patty still around? None of her friends have come forward to say she confided in them? Strange as I read a comment that the person involved is long dead – if that is the case, why would she not finally allow the man she claimed to have loved to Rest In Peace ? Such a shame. I pray you get results!
Latoya Scott
Makes me wonder if they had her lure him over there she may have been covering up herself also
Carl Hobbs
I totally agree!! I just watched it on unsolved mysteries and can say that from what I can tell, he was definitely murdered! I would never give up looking for answers if it were my sibling that were murdered.
Vickie
Thank you for watching and no I can not give up! Vickie, Leroy`s sister.
thinkingoutloud
well they were engaged to be married, seems like someone or some people in the family weren’t happy about it. they got into an argument and wound up stabbing up. patty def knows more than shes saying but fearful for her a family member’s life/ freedom or even her life/freedom so she wont confess anything. you would think even after 20+ years she would be more willing to give up more information.
sad this won’t be solved unless she confesses or the murder confesses as there seems to be very little evidence
Unknown Visions
Leroy’s Murderer is long dead
How Do You know
If you have proof, prove it.
guy in the hat
blood is thicker than water. the more time that passes the easier it is for those who know to hide the truth. let it go.
Vickie
You are absolutely correct! Thank you for your reply. God Bless
Vickie, Leroy`s sister
Carrie
It’s pretty obvious what happened. One of the family members stabbed him as he was leaving. Probably right after Patty walked away. She clearly knows who did it (if she didn’t flat out see it happen) and won’t say anything because they’re undoubtedly still alive. Did she have any brothers? Male cousins? If they weren’t at least brought in for questioning that’s sheer laziness on the part of detectives. I doubt it was her father, but my bet is 100% on a brother or cousin. Maybe an uncle.
And I would agree with one of the other commenters who mentioned that the individual who was standing nearby the wreck who volunteered the info that “he intended to commit suicide” was involved. Either as a witness who then diverted a homicide investigation or they may have actually been the perpetrator of the crime.
Lazy police work. Any officer who was assigned to investigate this – then or now -should be ashamed to ever collect a pension upon retirement.
Vickie Mahrling
Thank you for commenting. I am Lerpys sister and I am ashamed of the investigation then and now!
Jim humphrey
Hi Vicky.just a thought, you might want try cold Justice. It is a tv show and has a pretty decent success rate. It’s probablythebest of the true crime tv shows. Even at this point I think your brothers murder is solveable.
Sonya Roseman (actress from England)
nearly 50 years and still nobody has paid for this.. How awful? what a handsome young man. So sorry for his family. He deserves justice. if t was the father well he gonna be long gone. Horrid cover up? How mean and cruel? Much love to his sister and family. XX
Vickie Mahrling
Thank you for watching Leroy story and commenting. This is Vickie, Leroy’s sister. It has been very disappointing, that the law enforcement has ignored this case.
LUIS FREEH
SO! 16 YEAR OLD PATTY DROVE (?) PATTY TO HER BOYFRIENDS HOUSE AND IT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OR TRUNK BEFORE HE ARRIVED AT 16 yrs. PATTY’S THEN SHE STABBED HIM AND SAID “GONE IN 60 SECONDS” KNOWING THE (?) PATTY WAS IN HIS BACK SEAT WHO THEN SLIT HIS THROAT OPEN 4 INCHES. AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR.
LUIS FREEH
SOMEONE STABBED HIM TWO INCH AND SOME ONE IN THE BACK SEAT HE DIDN’T KNOW WAS THERE SLIT HIS THROAT 4 INCHES AND JUMPED OUT! LEAVINFG HIM TO CRASH.
LUIS FREEH
HAVE “U” HEARD OF GONE IN 60 SECONDS? THATS ALL THE LIFE VICKI’S BROTHER WOULD HAVE HAD AFTER A 4 INCH CUT TO THE WIND PIPE. GONE! BYE BYE WHY A CAR CRASH SIMULATION? ZERO TO 60mph! “ZERO” 0 WERE DOES 0 FIT IN? TWO NUMBER’S 0 60 TWO NECK WOUNDS TWO KNIVES TWO DARS TWO PARTIES. O SECONDS FROM 2 inch WOUND TWO PATTIES!
Vickie Mahrling
Thank you for watching. Leroy was my brother and he was murdered. I’m upset that the law enforcement has ignored this case.
Mary Martin
I knew Patty and Leroy from school. There were rumors shortly after Leroy’s death that it was not a suicide. I also heard rumors that Patty’s family didn’t like Leroy because he was white and Patty was Mexican. I really do not have any information, but I do feel that one of Patty’s relatives was responsible for what happened that evening.
Vickie
Thank you for watching and commenting. I would like to hear any stories you remember about Leroy. We went to the authorities 2 weeks after murder, after my family pulled ourselves together enough. It was impossible for him to kill himself, and get rid of the knife. I hope and pray for justice.
Ernest
The person that stated that he was wanting to commit suicide at the crash site must know something aswell.
lisa
I believe it may have been the father becuase of how intense the argument between the two seemed . obviously patty is hiding /covering for her loved ones.
Roy
Patty walked the victim to his car. Key word: “walked”. How about Patty cut his throat as soon as he got in the car, cranked the engine, and looked away from her to check his six? He sped away from Patty and hit the tree.
Anonymous
bless them
Vickie
Thank you! Thank you for watching and caring enough to comment.
halea
I too believe this Patty woman knows what happened. She is obviously covering for a family member.But if she truly loved him she would come forward and stop the lies. I would be in agony if I lived with that for this long. Suck it up buttercup!…