Unsolved case in Weld County: Gerald Drieling killed in 1986

WELD COUNTY, Colorado – The Weld County Sheriff's Office said it still hopes to bring justice to the family of a Fort Lupton farmer who was found dead in his home nearly 40 years ago.

On August 27, 1986, a family member found Gerald J. Drieling dead in his home. According to the sheriff's office, Drieling had left a family gathering to change the water in an irrigation ditch. When he did not return to the gathering, a family member went to his home to check on him and found him lying face down on the floor of his home.

Investigators believe Drieling may have interrupted a break-in at his home and was forced to lie down in the hallway, where he was fatally shot.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact cold case investigator Brian Kastilahn at [email protected] or 970-400-2827. Tips can also be sent to the sheriff's tip line at [email protected] or by calling 970-304-6464.