Friend of missing Colo. woman allegedly confessed to her murder

WESTMINSTER, Colo. - The friend of a missing Colorado woman has been arrested after allegedly confessing to the victim's brother and boyfriend that he murdered the 19-year-old, reports CBS Denver.

Christopher Waide, 23, was arrested late Thursday evening, according to police in Westminster, a suburb of Denver. The station reports Waide was the last person to see missing 19-year-old Lea Chali Porter, who visited the suspect's apartment over a week ago before allegedly leaving in the middle of the night.

On Thursday, Porter's brother and boyfriend went to Waide's apartment to speak with him, reports CBS Denver. The suspect took them to a nearby park, where he allegedly confessed to murdering Porter and said how he did it. The conversation was recorded.

A witness then called police and Waide was arrested without incident, according to the station. He is facing first-degree murder and sex assault charges. The suspect is due in court on Monday.

Police had interviewed Waide multiple times since Porter disappeared, even searching the suspect's apartment. However, the station reports officers never found enough evidence to justify an arrest. On Wednesday, Waide told CBS Denver that the victim left his apartment on her own and that he wanted to help find her.

"Well, overall I just want her to be safe," Waide said during the interview. "I don't have very many friends but the friends I do have I'm very loyal to. So even losing one is a heavy blow for me.... I tried texting her. I've tried calling her. I've left her some messages on Facebook and haven't heard anything back."

Westminster police said they still have not found Porter and that the investigation remains open.

The victim's cellphone has not been used since June 3. Her social media accounts and credit cards have not been active since then either, according to the station. Porter's car was still in the parking lot of Waide's apartment after she went missing, though the personal belongings she had kept inside were gone.

In his interview with CBS Denver, Waide said his friend got upset during her visit and left after he confronted her about having heroin. Porter's mother told the station her daughter has no known problems with drugs.