In the remote high desert of Colorado, 17-year-old Candace Hiltz was a force of nature — brilliant, fierce, and fiercely protective of her mentally ill brother James. But her sharp tongue and sharper mind may have made her dangerous enemies. Just days after confronting a local sheriff's deputy and accusing him of taking bribes, Candace was found executed in her bedroom, shot seven times while her infant daughter cried nearby.

What followed was a masterclass in small-town corruption: botched investigations, missing evidence, and a web of lies that stretches from the crime scene to the courthouse. Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to law enforcement involvement, no one has ever been held accountable for Candace's murder.

Join us as we dissect one of Colorado's most infuriating cold cases — a story that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about justice in rural America.

If you have any information about the murder of Candace Hiltz, or the mishandling of her case, contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at 303-239-4201.

Come for the true crime, stick around for the life updates, and—of course—enjoy the chaos🌵🩷

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Episode Highlights:

A Mind Beyond Her Years: Learn about Candace Hiltz, a sharp, witty teenager known for her intelligence and her deep devotion to her family, particularly her brother James, who lived in isolation behind their home.

The Dangerous Confrontation: Discover the critical incident just days before her murder, when Candace confronted a local sheriff's deputy, accusing him of taking bribes.

A Brutal Crime Scene: We detail the horrific discovery of Candace's body in her bedroom, shot seven times, with her baby nearby, and her body found under a comforter.

A Web of Corruption: Explore the systemic issues that plagued the investigation, including allegations of small-town law enforcement corruption, forensic blunders, and suspicious characters.

Unanswered Questions: Despite compelling clues, Candace's murder remains unsolved, leaving her family and the community demanding accountability.

Key Themes: Unsolved murder, cold case, police corruption, small-town crime, forensic failures, justice denied, family love, mental illness awareness.

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Hosted, Executive Produced, & Audio Edited by Margot Carmichael

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