Naturita residents react to arrest of Dan Bishop
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Chuck Searcy states, “It’s been an investigation for 25 years between CBI, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.”
Dale Williams went missing 25 years ago with no leads after finding his truck at the junction of Dolores and San Miguel River, 30 minutes north of Naturita.
Jamie Allred, assistant manager at Wild Gals Market, “I was only 14 at the time, and there was a lot of confusion in the community. There were different rumors saying that he had just up and left without saying anything.”
James Daniel Bishop, 68, is now in custody and has been charged with first-degree murder.
Searcy states, “It’s still going through the court process. Obviously, we just have an arrest this time.”
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said during the course of the joint investigation, investigators found Williams and his wife helped Bishop’s wife to leave him and resettle in Texas.
According to the affidavit, this made Bishop allegedly resentful towards Williams in the months leading up to his disappearance, going so far as to tear down posters put up after Williams was reported missing.
Brock Benson, owner and operator of Paradox Cycle, states, “When he went missing, there was a ton of speculation and hearsay, but we’ve all been waiting to find out who did it and for them for that to be solved.”
Locals said Dale was very family-friendly, a man that no one would bat an eye to and a beloved man in the community.
“I was friends with his niece, and I went to school with his daughters. They were a year or two older than me, but I did know him. He played Santa Claus,” Allred said.
Investigators are still looking for Williams’ remains but locals remain optimistic about the arrest.
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re finally going to be able to close this case up. William’s children have really suffered and put up with the law,” Benson said.
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