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June 19, 2026

America September 22, 2025 3 mins read

Unsolved Murder of Shauna Redford’s Boyfriend Resurfaces After Robert Redford’s Death

America ı By Jackie Allen

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unsolved murder robert redford

The death of Robert Redford has brought renewed focus on the decades-old unsolved murder of his daughter’s boyfriend, a case that remains one of Colorado’s most haunting mysteries. Redford, the iconic Hollywood star, Oscar-winning director, and liberal activist, died last week at the age of 89, but his passing has revived public attention on the 1983 killing of Sid Wells.

The 1983 Killing of Sid Wells

In August 1983, Sid Wells, a University of Colorado Boulder student and the boyfriend of Redford’s daughter, Shauna, was fatally shot in his apartment. At the time, Redford was preparing to film The Natural, yet he rushed to his daughter’s side and attended Wells’ funeral. The case rattled Boulder, casting a long shadow over the community.

Wells’ roommate, Thayne Alan Smika, was arrested as the primary suspect. However, the Boulder County District Attorney declined to press charges due to insufficient evidence. Smika vanished in 1986, and he has been on the run ever since.

Renewed FBI Pursuit

Just a day after Redford’s death, the FBI announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Smika’s arrest. Bail has already been set at $5 million if Smika is captured. The bureau described him as a native of North Dakota with nicknames including “Jungle Mike.”

The FBI’s announcement underscores the enduring interest in solving the Wells case. As The Denver Post and AP News recounted, renewed efforts to bring Smika to justice began in 2009 under District Attorney Stan Garnett, who pushed for DNA reexamination of cold cases. That led to a 2010 warrant for Smika’s arrest.

Redford’s Personal Involvement

Garnett revealed that Robert Redford personally called him after learning of the renewed arrest warrant for Smika. “I thought [the call] was a positive reflection of Robert Redford’s concern about his daughter and about this young man who’d lost his life very tragically,” Garnett told Colorado’s KUSA.

Redford’s dedication to supporting the Wells family was evident. According to KUSA, he even paid for private security for them in the uncertain early days of the murder investigation. Wells’ brother, Robert, expressed gratitude, saying he had “deep appreciation” for Redford’s support during their darkest days.

A Family Touched by Tragedy

Redford’s family endured not only the trauma of Wells’ unsolved murder but also other brushes with tragedy. Just a year after Wells’ death, Shauna narrowly survived after her car plunged into a river in Utah. Redford himself also faced personal loss with the deaths of two of his sons before his passing.

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Jackie Allen
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Jackie Allen

Jackie is a freelance journalist and technology geek. She worked as a telecom project director for AT&T and BellSouth. Before joining the USA Herald she has written books, articles, blogs and whitepapers. Her clients include Samsung and other technology companies.

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