Victim identified in 33-year-old Sheridan cold-case homicide

Sheridan police, along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, have identified the victim of a 33-year-old homicide case. 

Akram Bada’an was believed to have been murdered at the age of 36 on Aug. 27, 1988, police said during a press briefing Wednesday. His body was found in the 2800 block of West Oxford Avenue.

Police had previously referred to the victim only as John Doe. 

"The most important thing in this case, aside from giving the victim justice, is giving the victim his name back," said Bryan Penry, detective for the Sheridan police, who said identifying Bada’an was the "first step of many'' in solving the case. 

With advancements in DNA analysis authorities were able to use genetic genealogy to trace Bada’an's family back to Israel, who they said have been notified. 

Audrey Simkins, an analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said the agency has been involved with the case since 1989. In 2020, Sheridan police asked the bureau to review the case, Simkins said, which promoted more fingerprint analysis from previously preserved evidence. 

This led investigators to determine the victim was Israeli, a turning point in the case after decades of believing the victim was from Mexico, Simkins said. 

Chris Wilcox, senior chief deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, urged those with information about Bada’an to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, which is offering a $2,000 reward.

Police did not accept any questions during Wednesday's briefing, citing an ongoing investigation.