A Colorado man is now facing four murder charges linked to separate incidents that happened during different periods of parole, according to authorities. Prosecutors say the suspect was involved in multiple violent crimes over several years, including a deadly stabbing spree and a killing inside a jail cell.
The suspect, Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith, 38, is accused of committing multiple murders across the Denver metropolitan area. Officials say the cases involve victims from Aurora, Denver, and Englewood.
Suspect Faces Fourth Murder Charge
Prosecutors recently announced that Roybal-Smith has been charged with a fourth homicide. The new charge is second-degree murder related to the 2022 death of a woman in Arapahoe County.
Before this charge was filed, Roybal-Smith was already facing three counts of first-degree murder linked to killings that occurred during a violent crime spree in 2025.
Authorities say the latest charge adds another layer to an already complex investigation involving multiple victims and several jurisdictions.
Two Men Stabbed to Death in Aurora
Two of the murder charges stem from a pair of brutal stabbings that occurred within hours of each other on June 29, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado.
Police said the victims were:
- Jesse Shafer, 27
- Scott Davenport, 61
Both men were homeless at the time.
Investigators reported that Shafer was attacked around 1:45 a.m. on Moline Street. The Adams County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that he had been stabbed about 15 times.
Less than an hour later, Davenport was discovered on Peoria Street. Authorities said he suffered approximately 90 stab wounds to the back.
Killing Inside a Jail Cell
Later that same day, Roybal-Smith was arrested in Denver after a hit-and-run crash involving two pedestrians near the intersection of Galapago Street and West 9th Avenue.
He was booked into jail around 11 p.m.
However, just a few hours later, another death occurred inside the jail.
At around 2 a.m., Roybal-Smith’s cellmate, 36-year-old Vincent Chacon, was found dead in their shared cell.
Initially, it appeared that Chacon had choked on an apple. Roybal-Smith reportedly told a deputy that his cellmate was choking and needed help.
But a later autopsy revealed a different cause of death.
Medical examiners determined that Chacon died from strangulation caused by external pressure on his neck.
Family Questions Jail Decisions
Chacon’s death sparked anger from his family, who questioned why the two men were housed together.
Chacon had been jailed for a minor traffic violation and was reportedly waiting to be released.
His mother said the family first received a message that he had been released, only to later learn from the coroner that he had died in custody.
The case raised concerns about jail policies and inmate safety.
Earlier Case From 2022 Reopened
The newest murder charge relates to the 2022 death of Meg Eberhart in Englewood, Colorado.
Police said Eberhart was found unconscious at a light rail station after leaving a rideshare vehicle around 3 a.m.
Her Lyft driver told investigators he heard her scream and saw a man attack her before fleeing the scene.
Eberhart was taken to a hospital but died several days later.
For years, the official cause of death was listed as “undetermined,” which initially prevented prosecutors from filing charges.
Prosecutors Now Believe Death Was Homicide
After several years of investigation, prosecutors decided to move forward with charges.
Authorities say investigators spent years collecting evidence and reviewing the case before concluding that Eberhart’s death was likely the result of a criminal act.
Police praised detectives for their persistence in pursuing the case and working toward justice for the victim.
Suspect Was on Parole at Time of Crimes
Records show Roybal-Smith was on parole when Eberhart was attacked in 2022.
Just one day before that incident, he was involved in a violent disturbance at a Walmart store in Englewood. During the outburst, he reportedly threatened customers.
He was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for that incident.
However, he did not serve the full sentence and became eligible for parole in 2025.
Authorities say he was released on parole in January 2025 and is now accused of committing three more murders later that year.
History of Parole and Criminal Risk
Reports indicate that Roybal-Smith has been released on parole four times since 2012.
The Colorado Department of Corrections previously classified him as a “very high” risk for repeat offenses. In 2022, however, that classification was reduced to “moderate risk.”
Critics now question whether the decision to grant parole contributed to the later crimes.
