Loveland Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in 2022 Death of Unhoused Woman
A jury found a 47-year-old Loveland man guilty November 20 of second-degree murder, sexual assault and violating a protection order in the death of Chantell Wilkes, whose body was discovered in the Big Thompson River at Fairgrounds Park in August 2022.
Asa Alan Peck faces 16 to 48 years in prison for the murder conviction alone when he is sentenced January 12, 2026, in Courtroom 3A. The jury also convicted Peck of class 3 felony sexual assault with force and class 1 misdemeanor violation of a protection order.
Wilkes died from a combination of blunt force trauma and drowning, according to the Larimer County Coroner, who ruled her death a homicide. She was unhoused at the time of her death.
Three-Year Investigation Involved 100 Witnesses
Loveland Police Department detectives began an extensive investigation immediately after Wilkes' body was found in August 2022. The investigation included roughly 100 witnesses and required more than three years before prosecutors filed charges in February 2024.
Detectives identified Peck as a suspect based on witness statements placing him with Wilkes shortly before her death, observations of him near the scene where her body was found, and his recent relationship with Wilkes. Two prior misdemeanor domestic violence cases listed Wilkes as the victim.
DNA samples collected from Peck matched evidence gathered from Wilkes' body and the scene, according to the Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office.
The three-week trial led by Assistant District Attorney Matt Maillaro and Deputy District Attorney Erin Butler included dozens of witnesses, hundreds of pieces of evidence, expert testimony on DNA and forensic examination, and litigation of complex legal issues.
Jury Convicted on Lesser Murder Charge
Prosecutors initially charged Peck with first-degree murder in February 2024, but the jury convicted him of second-degree murder instead. Under Colorado law, first-degree murder requires proof of premeditation and deliberation, while second-degree murder requires only that the defendant knowingly caused the death of another person.
Second-degree murder carries a sentence of 16 to 48 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to a $1 million fine, according to Colorado Revised Statutes. The sexual assault conviction carries four to 12 years to life in prison and up to a $500,000 fine. The protection order violation carries up to 364 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
Juries convict defendants of second-degree rather than first-degree murder when evidence supports that the defendant acted knowingly but without advance planning or premeditation. The burden falls on prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant deliberated before acting.
Investigation Timeline Reflects Case Complexity
The extended investigation period from August 2022 to February 2024 falls at the upper end of homicide investigation timelines in Larimer County. Most straightforward homicide cases in Colorado result in charges within weeks to months, while complex cases involving transient witnesses, outdoor crime scenes or limited initial evidence can take multiple years.
Larimer County's unhoused population numbered approximately 540 individuals in the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, concentrated primarily in Fort Collins and Loveland. Law enforcement agencies face significant challenges investigating crimes against unhoused victims, including difficulty identifying victims who lack government identification, locating transient witnesses, and preserving evidence at outdoor crime scenes.
"Today marks the end of a long, challenging journey for the family and friends of Chantell Wilkes," said Loveland Police Assistant Chief Jim Byrne. "It goes without saying that we are proud of the work and determination of the many staff involved from the Loveland Police Department, especially the two lead detectives who made justice for Chantell a priority for over three years."
Byrne praised the jury's dedication and expressed hope the verdict brings peace to Wilkes' family.
District Attorney Emphasizes Equal Justice
District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin emphasized that all victims deserve justice regardless of housing status or personal circumstances.
"Chantell Wilkes was a mother, a sister, and loved by many," McLaughlin said. "A victim of a crime deserves justice regardless of where they call home or what struggles they may face. This investigation and prosecution were incredibly complex and took years of dedicated work from our office and the Loveland Police Department."
The District Attorney's Office provided resources for victims of intimate partner violence, including Alternatives to Violence at 970-669-5150, Crossroads Safehouse at 888-541-7233, and Estes Valley Crisis Advocates at 970-577-9781. Additional resources are available through Violence Free Colorado and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Peck's sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2026.