A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman in Torrington late last month.
Sean Logan Pettus has been charged with murder and arson in the April 20 death of 20-year-old Madison Cook. Pettus and Cook identified themselves as being in a relationship on their individual Facebook pages.
Police discovered the murder after the Torrington Fire Department responded to a report of a fire early on the morning of April 20. The investigation of the fire led officers to another Torrington location, where Cook’s body was found.
While investigating the murder, officers were alerted to the theft of a vehicle nearby. The vehicle was ultimately located with assistance from the Goshen County Sheriff’s Department and Pettus was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
In addition to the murder and first-degree arson charges, Pettus is charged with felony theft of a vehicle and burglary.
The Torrington Police Department, in a statement on its Facebook page, reminded readers that Pettus is considered innocent of the charges until proven guilty.
“The events of the past ten days have been incredibly traumatic for Madison’s family, her friends, and our entire community,” the Department wrote. “As we work to learn the truth and take this first step towards justice, we ask for continued support for the Cook family in their healing process.”
Court records obtained by Cowboy State Daily from the Park County court system show that Pettus has been connected to other crimes dating back more than a decade.
In 2014, he was convicted of battery of a household member and in 2013, he was convicted on charges of destruction of property valued at under $1,000 and breach of the peace. In 2016, he was convicted on a charge of criminal entry.
The Torrington Police Department continues to investigate the incident and is asking that anyone with information contact its offices.
