Florence, Colorado – The complex and tragic case of Byron Griffy, a respected local mortician, remains a source of mystery nearly a decade after his death. A new true crime documentary, “The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder,” delves into the details surrounding his 2012 murder and the web of deceit and intrigue that followed.
Griffy, celebrated as a community pillar, was found shot in his home just one day before his 77th birthday. The single gunshot wound to the head left family and friends reeling, prompting an investigation that would uncover troubling secrets within the seemingly quiet town of Florence. Otero County Coroner Bob Fowler noted that the crime scene revealed peculiar indicators, including a lack of defensive wounds and no signs of forced entry, suggesting a premeditated act.
According to investigators, the positioning of Griffy’s body suggested possible staging, a theory backed by Otero County District Attorney James Bullock. As the investigation unfolded, authorities narrowed their focus to four main suspects, each linked to Griffy by a web of personal relationships.
One of the prominent suspects was Cory Higgs, Griffy’s step-grandson. Law enforcement had previously been informed of an incident in which Griffy had faced charges for the alleged sexual assault of Higgs. Although the 76-year-old denied the allegations, fears of a lawsuit created further tensions within the family. Despite passing a polygraph test, Higgs was ultimately deemed unlikely to have had access to his grandfather’s home.
Another suspect, Tommy Tomlin, was thought to have had a complicated friendship with Griffy, reportedly involving financial transactions in exchange for favors. However, investigators soon dismissed Tomlin as a suspect, reasoning that he had more to gain from Griffy remaining alive.
The final two suspects, Anthony Wright and Charles Giebler, were fellow morticians who had claimed, falsely, that they were siblings. They were scheduled to meet Griffy for lunch on the day of his murder but found themselves unable to connect with him. Investigators later discovered that Wright had been entrusted with safeguarding some of Griffy’s most valuable possessions, including rare coins valued at approximately $1 million.
After Griffy’s death, scrutiny intensified when his daughter, Linette Griffy, reported that many of the coins were missing. Investigators suspected Giebler of orchestrating a plan to murder Griffy to acquire his valuables. The unfolding drama took a turn when Giebler was found dead from a heart attack, with some of the missing coins reportedly discovered at his home.
With Giebler no longer a suspect, Wright became the focal point of the investigation. He was eventually charged with Griffy’s murder; however, the trial resulted in a hung jury, leaving the case unresolved. Following the trial, Wright accepted a plea deal in which he admitted guilt but maintained his innocence regarding intent, claiming he did not kill Griffy.
“The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder” now provides viewers with an inside look at one of Florence’s most puzzling cases, weaving together the threads of betrayal, family ties, and the pursuit of justice. The series is available on Investigation Discovery and HBO Max for those wishing to explore this unsettling narrative further.