Crime & Safety
Weld County, CO Cold Case: Who Killed Mario Mendoza in 1986?
Brighton, CO – Nearly 40 years after Mario Mendoza was found beaten to death in an irrigation ditch near Brighton, Colorado, detectives say they still do not know why he was killed and are asking the
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-09-23T13:09:35.451Z
Brighton, CO – Nearly 40 years after Mario Mendoza was found beaten to death in an irrigation ditch near Brighton, Colorado, detectives say they still do not know why he was killed and are asking the public for information.
According to the Weld County Sheriff 's Office, Mendoza was last seen leaving George's Bar in Brighton at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 17, 1986. Authorities said he left in a white over blue car with three Hispanic men.
Six days later, on Sept. 23, 1986, Mendoza's body was discovered floating in Fulton Irrigation Ditch No. 2 near Weld County Roads 4 and 27.
Investigators determined Mendoza had been beaten to death. Authorities believe his body was placed into the irrigation ditch in Adams County before floating to the location in Weld County where it was eventually discovered.
During the investigation, detectives learned Mendoza occasionally worked as a laborer at Sakata Farms. The sheriff's office said he also supplied marijuana to other laborers living at the farm's labor camp.
Despite the investigation, authorities said no known motive for Mendoza's killing has been established, and detectives have not developed new suspects or leads in the case.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office is again highlighting the unsolved homicide in hopes that someone may have information that could help investigators determine what happened to Mendoza.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 970 350 9600. Tips can also be submitted through the tip line at 970 304 6464 or by email at crimetips@weld.gov .