AURORA, Colo. – A missing Aurora man has been found dead, and two juveniles have been arrested on murder charges in relation to the man’s death.
Gayland Delanore Allen Jr., 24, was reported missing on Monday from the 1400 block of South Salem Way in Aurora. His body was found on the side of a road Wednesday in Jefferson County, and the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office ruled that he died of a gunshot wound and that the death was a homicide.
Later Thursday afternoon, Aurora police said two juveniles – a 15-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy – was arrested for investigation on first-degree murder charges in Allen’s death. APD said it could not release the suspects’ names or mugshots because they are juveniles.
Allen's family on Thursday released surveillance video of the last time he was seen, which showed him get into a vehicle south of Salem Way, then showed the vehicle start to drive off, come to a sudden stop and rapidly drive off.
They said he was a loving young man who hoped to follow his father's footsteps and become a mechanic. The family said it had been a difficult time since Allen had gone missing and since he was found Wednesday, calling it "hell on earth" and saying they hoped the video would shed more light on what happened to him.
Aurora police said the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office was prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police Agent M. Ingui at 303-739-6067. Anonymous tipsters can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover Allen Jr.'s funeral expenses.
