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38-year-old cold case murder tied to infamous Denver-area serial killer

By December 2, 2025 | updated 3 months ago

A photo of Rhonda Marie Fisher, who was assaulted and murdered in 1987 at the age of 30 by serial killer Vincent Groves. Photo courtesy of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced a resolution to a 38-year-old cold case murder Tuesday.

Using modern DNA and forensic analysis, investigators determined that the killer of Rhonda Marie Fisher — found dead in 1987 — was Vincent Groves, believed to be responsible for at least a dozen killings in the metro Denver area during the 1970s and 1980s, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Groves was involved in sex trafficking and drug distribution and had been convicted of murder in 1982, only to be released and commit additional crimes after serving fewer than five years, according to the release. He died in custody in 1996 after he was convicted of two additional murders.

“While Vincent Groves cannot be held accountable in a court of law, we hope this long-awaited resolution brings answers and a measure of peace to Rhonda Fisher’s family and friends,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly in the release. “This case is a testament to our commitment to pursue justice for every victim — no matter how much time has passed.”

Side and front mugshot profiles of a man
Booking photos of Vincent Groves, one of Colorado’s most prolific serial killers, who died in custody in 1996. Courtesy of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

What connected Groves to Fisher was the examination of DNA evidence recovered from paper bags that had been initially placed on the victim’s hands to preserve trace evidence, according to the release. The evidence recovered from the bags matched that of DNA found at the scene of three 1979 homicides Groves committed in Denver.

“The only thing that was left that had not been touched from the original case in ’87 were these brown paper bags,” said Shane Williams, forensic analyst with the office, at a Tuesday news conference, via a YouTube recording. “Other items had been sent for testing in 2017. Otherwise, the brown paper bags had never been tested before.”

Fisher’s body was discovered by a passing driver on April 1, 1987, on an embankment in the 3500 block of South Perry Park Road, according to the release. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled prior to her death.

Fisher was 30 years old at the time she was killed, according to the release.

Authorities attempted to reach out to surviving family members, but could only find a cousin, officials said at the news conference.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Fisher had been staying with various people, one of whom was initially a person of interest but was ultimately cleared in the case, according to the release. The night before, she had been seen walking north on Monaco Street toward Leetsdale Drive in Denver.

Weekly noted during the news conference that Groves was a janitorial supervisor with job sites throughout the Denver area, which gave him a significant amount of access. He also said that there are likely other victims of Groves that have not yet been identified by authorities.

“Rhonda was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a niece, and her family members have waited nearly four decades for answers,” Weekly said.

Michael Braithwaite

Reporter

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