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.”
