For more than two decades, the Espinoza family has fought for answers in the brutal murder of Ricky Espinoza, a 37-year-old Colorado Springs resident who was found dead in a landfill in June 2001. Now, DNA evidence that was ignored for years may finally offer a breakthrough—if authorities decide to take action.
Justice Delayed, Justice Denied?
Espinoza, a graduate of cosmetology school and a beloved member of his community, vanished after a night out at a wedding reception. He last contacted his family from J’s Motor Hotel before his body was discovered days later in a landfill. His remains were so decomposed that investigators initially claimed no DNA could be retrieved—a claim that has now been exposed as false.
With pressure mounting, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has agreed to re-test DNA evidence, but there’s a catch: Colorado’s forensic system is drowning in a backlog of unsolved cases. Worse, an investigation recently uncovered that a longtime forensic scientist, Yvonne “Missy” Woods, manipulated or omitted data in potentially hundreds of cases over her career. Now, Ricky’s case—and many others—sit in limbo as the CBI scrambles to review her work.
A System Failing LGBTQ Victims
The mishandling of Ricky’s case isn’t just about bureaucratic incompetence. His family believes his murder was treated with indifference because he was gay. The press coverage at the time painted a reckless, misleading picture of Ricky, subtly suggesting he put himself in danger by frequenting a known gay gathering spot. Law enforcement seemed uninterested in finding out whether Ricky was targeted for his sexuality, brushing off critical leads and denying his family access to key records.
This is part of a disturbing pattern—LGBTQ murder cases, especially those involving queer men of color, are often neglected or misrepresented. Had Ricky been a straight man found in a landfill, would his case have been shelved for decades? His family, and the broader LGBTQ community, deserve answers.
The Fight for Justice Isn’t Over
With renewed efforts to examine the DNA evidence, there is a sliver of hope. But as delays pile up, Ricky’s family continues to live with the agony of unanswered questions. His sister, Debbie Espinoza, refuses to let her brother be forgotten: “Whoever did this needs to pay. We’re not giving up.”
The LGBTQ community knows this fight all too well. It’s not just about Ricky—it’s about ensuring that queer lives are valued and that justice is served. Because as long as cases like his remain unresolved, the message is clear: LGBTQ people are disposable. And that is unacceptable.