SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 | NEWS | By Tessa Frantz
On Thursday, Aug. 28, an adult male was found dead with at least one stab wound in Monument Valley Park, located less than half a mile from the Colorado College campus in the 100 Block of Cache La Poudre Street. The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is currently investigating the death as a homicide after being notified of the deceased individual found under the bridge at Mesa Road.
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 48-year-old Daniel Parsons. CSPD has not yet identified a suspect in this case. They also reported that this was the 24th homicide in Colorado Springs in 2025.
Colorado College Campus Safety dispatched personnel to the area and helped keep civilians away from the crime scene.
“We learned early on that it wasn’t a member of the community,” Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Cathy Buckley said.Buckley explains that if there is an ongoing threat to campus, they issue a timely warning. These warnings occur through email and go to everyone with a CC email address. If there is an active threat, that information comes out through RAVE, CC’s emergency notification system. Regarding students, Buckley expressed that students should exercise caution when using the Tiger Trail and walking near Monument Creek.
“When we’re talking about the Tiger Trail, we encourage people to at least go in pairs and be aware of your surroundings. Take a cell phone with you in case something does happen,” she said.
In the past, there have been other incidents involving violence or inappropriate behavior in the vicinity of Monument Creek. Last year, there was an incident of indecent exposure on the Tiger Trail. Following that incident, Buckley emphasized that campus safety “did a lot of patrols in the area that intersects with campus.”Lilly Henderson ‘27 told The Catalyst that she avoids the area altogether, fearing inappropriate behavior. “I never go to the Tiger Trail, especially alone,” Henderson said. The investigation is currently ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case should contact CSPD at 719.444.7000.