JULESBURG, Colo. (Aug. 19, 2025) — A Colorado man has been indicted in connection with a July homicide in Missouri after investigators tracked leads across state lines, authorities said.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri said deputies responded July 18 to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive man in the driveway of a home in the 1300 block of Finney Road in Robertsville. The victim, identified as 46-year-old Jared Bodine, was found with a gunshot wound and later died at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Mo.
Detectives opened a homicide investigation and, following weeks of work, traveled to Morgan County and Sedgwick County in Colorado to pursue leads. On Aug. 13, a Franklin County grand jury issued a no-bond indictment for 40-year-old Zachary J. Pankonin of Julesburg, charging him with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton credited cooperation from Colorado law enforcement, including Morgan County Sheriff David Martin and Sedgwick County Sheriff Koby Quayle, in helping investigators move the case forward.
“This investigation is still ongoing,” Pelton said in a statement, noting no further details are being released. “I would like to thank our investigators for their tireless work and dedication to bring justice to the victim.”