Son charged in trash can murder

Posted: Dec 28, 2009 8:00 PM by Bea Karnes
Updated: Dec 28, 2009 8:00 PM

A Colorado Springs man has been charged with murder in the death of his father, whose body was found stuffed in a trash can behind a home in Colorado Springs in early December.

Quinten Abeyta was arrested for Tampering with Evidence after reporting to police that he found his father stuffed in a large trash can behind Ivy Place on Dec. 7. He has now been charged with Second Degree Murder. He remains in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

Russell Abeyta, 54, was the victim in this case.

According to the affadavit for Abeyta's arrest obtained by News First 5, the son told officers he had come home to find his father dead. He told a firefighter he put his father in the trash can because he didn't want someone else to throw his father away.

An initial autopsy said Russell Abeyta had died from trauma to the head caused by the claw side of a hammer, or similar instrument.

Quinten Abeyta has spent time in prison for second degree assault and burglary and is currently on parole.

Colorado Springs Police Detectives are still interested in learning the whereabouts of Quinton Abeyta during the morning hours of December 7 before he called police at about 10:00 a.m. If you have information about this investigation or Quinten Abeyta, call Detective Wayne Bichel of the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit at 719.444.7501, or email: BICHELWA@ci.colospgs.co.us