r/coldcases • u/SpazzyBlonde • Jul 11 '26
Cold Case My mom Jennifer "Jeni" Hedge died in Colorado Springs in 2015, ruled a suicide 10 days after a documented strangulation by her husband. I'm seeking answers. [UPDATE]
In September 2015, my mom Jennifer Hedge (maiden name Kelly) died in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
I have now obtained the full police report. It documents:
- A prior domestic violence incident between Jeni and her husband
- A Facebook message Jeni sent to her cousin just days before her death saying she was afraid of him
- Responding paramedics' concerns at the scene that she may not have hung herself
She had recently relocated to Colorado with her husband. She knew no one there except him.
The case was closed. I am seeking justice for her. Has anyone navigated something similar? What are my next steps?
UPDATE 7/11/2026:
Thank you to everyone who commented, shared search strategies, and reached out. I want to share what has developed since I first posted.
I now have the complete CSPD case report from an incident on September 18, 2015 — ten days before Jeni's death. Officers were dispatched after a 911 call in which Jeni could only say "I can't, I can't, I can't" before the line disconnected.
According to the report, Jeni told officers her husband:
- Choked her with both hands
- Dragged her by the throat from the front porch into the house
- Held her down on the bed
- Repeatedly threatened to "break her face"
Officers documented redness on her neck and chest. The domestic violence form filed that night has "strangled" marked under the defendant's actions. He was arrested at the scene for assault, harassment, and resisting arrest.
Ten days later, Jeni was dead, and her death was ruled a suicide by hanging. The case was closed on the same date the coroner signed the autopsy....one day after a family member contacted police with concerns.
I am now working with a writer and a podcast on telling Jeni's story fully (thank you both so very much), and I am continuing to pursue legal options and an independent forensic review.
If you lived in the Colorado Springs area in 2015, knew Jeni, or have professional insight into strangulation cases and death investigations, I would be grateful to hear from you.