2 Suspects Arrested In Cold Case Murder

DENVER (CBS4)- Two people have been arrested in a Denver murder dating back more than a decade.

John Vazquez and Marie Lynn Marone are each charged with first degree murder.

The body of 36-year-old Renee Ealy was found in her apartment on June 23, 2000, in the 1100 block of South Cherry Street.

At the time, Ealy's brother said she had health problems which made it hard for her to walk.

"She wasn't that strong. She couldn't hurt a fly. She was just the sweetest girl you could ever meet," said Renee's brother Carl Ealy.

The investigation into her murder was re-opened last year after new information was revealed that identified Vazquez and Marone as suspects.

"They were witnesses that heard from Mr. Vazquez, information about being involved in a homicide," said Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.

According to the Denver District Attorney's office, Vazquez and his then-girlfriend Marone, were living in Denver when Vazquez stabbed and killed Ealy as Marone watched.

A witness said Vazquez admitted that one night he and Marone were using cocaine and talking about what it would be like to kill someone. That's when the stabbing happened.

The affidavit states that when Ealy was dead, Vazquez jumped up, raised his arms and proclaimed, 'I did it!'"

Another witness said Vazquez told her a similar story and was even shown pictures of Ealy's body.

"Those witnesses coming forward were very important to then have the detectives do the fine job they did and follow up with the charges we were able to bring," said Morrissey.

Vazquez was located in Boise, Idaho and Marone was located in Cheyenne, Wyo. Both remain in custody in those cities and face extradition to Denver.

According to Morrissey, Denver solves more cold cases than any other city in the country.