In a heartbreaking tragedy that has gripped El Paso County, Colorado, the death of Corrye Brewer has been ruled a homicide after her Daughter Left Out 97-Year-Old Mother to Die in Freezing Cold.
Brewer, a beloved grandmother known for her sharp mind and love for crossword puzzles, was found dead on January 26, 2025, outside an unoccupied home on Judge Orr Road in Calhan.
The coroner’s report, released in April, revealed that Brewer succumbed to hypothermia after being left without her walker, phone, or any means to seek shelter during a snowy night when temperatures plummeted to 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
This shocking case has sparked outrage, raised questions about elder abuse, and left Brewer’s family seeking justice for a woman who lived a long, vibrant life only to meet a cruel end.
A Life Cut Short by Betrayal
Corrye Brewer was last seen alive on January 24, 2025, in Peyton, Colorado, where she was visiting family. According to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, Brewer, who suffered from memory-related cognitive impairments and required daily medication, was intentionally left outside an abandoned property by her daughter.
The autopsy report states that she was dropped off without her walker, rendering her immobile, and without a phone to call for help. The area was blanketed by snow, and wind whipped through the desolate landscape, creating deadly conditions for anyone exposed to the elements, let alone a frail elderly woman.
Brewer was reported missing the following day by family members, prompting a search by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. On January 26, deputies discovered her body near Judge Orr Road and Calhan Highway, approximately 20 miles from where she was last seen.
The coroner’s findings were unequivocal: Brewer’s death was caused by hypothermia, and the manner of death was homicide due to the deliberate act of abandonment. The report noted that she was left “without any way to return home, get to adequate shelter, or call for help,” a chilling detail that has fueled demands for accountability.
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Corrye Brewer’s grandchildren, Paul Brewer Jr. and Shari Robinson, who live in Atlanta, described her as a sharp, family-oriented woman who raised 11 children and remained active despite her age.
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“For somebody that’s 97, with the body fat of less than nutrition out in 16-degree weather, the pain of death by freezing to death by hypothermia is devastating,” Paul told local media. The family’s grief is compounded by their estrangement from the relatives Brewer was staying with, leaving them desperate for answers about how such a betrayal could occur.
Investigation and Legal Questions
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has classified Brewer’s death as an active homicide investigation, with the case under review by the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
As of April 13, 2025, no arrests have been announced, and the daughter’s identity has not been publicly disclosed in official reports. The sheriff’s office has remained tight-lipped, stating only that the investigation is ongoing and that further details will be released when appropriate.
The lack of immediate charges has frustrated Corrye Brewer’s grandchildren, who are calling for justice. “Our grandmother is deceased, and somebody needs to be held accountable for that,” Paul Brewer Jr. said in an interview with CBS Colorado.
Shari Robinson echoed this sentiment, adding, “We just want it brought out to the light. She is gone, and we hope that someone would take the time to provide answers for the family.” The family’s pleas reflect a broader concern about elder neglect and abuse, particularly for those with cognitive vulnerabilities like Brewer’s.
Legal experts suggest that if charges are filed, they could range from manslaughter to first-degree murder, depending on evidence of intent and premeditation. The coroner’s determination of homicide hinges on the intentional nature of the abandonment, which prosecutors will likely scrutinize.
The case also raises questions about whether systemic failures—such as inadequate oversight of elderly care within families—contributed to the tragedy. For now, the community awaits clarity as investigators piece together the circumstances that led to Brewer’s final moments.
A Call to Address Elder Abuse
The death of Corrye Brewer has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of elder abuse, a problem that affects millions of older adults across the United States.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, neglect and abandonment are among the most common forms of mistreatment, often perpetrated by family members or caregivers. Brewer’s case, with its stark details of a vulnerable woman left to die in the cold, underscores the devastating consequences of such actions.
Advocates are urging greater awareness and resources to protect seniors, particularly those with cognitive impairments. Corrye Brewer’s reliance on a walker and medication made her especially dependent on others, a reality for many elderly individuals.
Programs like adult protective services and community support networks could play a critical role in preventing similar tragedies, but funding and awareness remain limited in many areas, including rural parts of El Paso County.
The case has also prompted soul-searching within the community about how society values its elders. Corrye Brewer, who lived through nearly a century of history, was described as a woman who cherished her family and intellectual pursuits.
Her grandchildren’s memories of her warmth contrast sharply with the cold indifference of her final hours, fueling calls for cultural and legal reforms to ensure dignity for the elderly.
Social media posts have expressed horror at the case, with some users emphasizing the need for stronger protections for seniors, though these sentiments remain part of a broader, inconclusive public conversation.
As the investigation continues, Corrye Brewer’s story serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of trust within families and the urgent need to safeguard those who can no longer protect themselves. Her family’s quest for justice is not just about one woman’s death but about affirming the value of every life, no matter how old.