Arrest Made In Springs Burned-Body Case

Marcus Smith Arrested Friday

9:52 AM, Nov 26, 2011

A 21-year-old Colorado Springs resident was arrested Friday afternoon in the death of an 87-year-old woman whose burnt body was found at a trailhead on Wednesday.

Colorado Springs police said Marcus Smith was arrested at 12:15 p.m in the 1300 block of Suncrest Way. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder.

The charred body of the victim, Kathryn "Kit" Grazioli, was found at the Captain Jack's trailhead near Lower Gold Camp Road. The body was discovered by firefighters who were called to a report of a wildfire in the area.

The manner of death was ruled homicide by the El Paso County Coroners Office, however, the autopsy investigation has not been completed and the final cause of death has not been released.

"No additional suspects have been identified or are being sought in this investigation," police said in a news release.

The Gazette reported that Smith has a criminal record and was sentenced in October to five years of probation after pleading guilty to second-degree burglary.