Torrington, Wyo. (Story by Denise Heilbrun-Ellis) October 19, 2021 — After months of investigation and awaiting an autopsy report, the Goshen County Sheriff’s Department arrested Marty C Colwell, 49, of Torrington with the murder of Kimberly Apple.

According to the Affidavit of Probable cause, Goshen County Sheriff Kory Fleenor stated that dispatch was advised that Kimberly Apple was deceased at a residence.
Fleenor wrote that he and other law enforcement personnel arrived at the residence on Road 68F and confirmed that Apple was deceased in a bedroom of that home.
The Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation and Colwell were called to the scene.
Colwell told deputies that he was dating Apple and that Apple had fallen out of a pickup truck the previous day and suffered a cut on her forehead as a result.
He also claimed that he believed Apple attempted to overdose the previous day on prescription drugs, which resulted in her falling out of the pickup. He said the incident happened after noon on May 16, 2021.
On May 17, Deputy Lt. Wes Deen received a search warrant for the residence and found large clumps of Apple’s hair across the property. When deputies observed her body, there were numerous bruises across her torso, as well as the cut on her head. Colwell also claimed he had tried to super glue the cut to staunch the blood flow from the injury.
On May 20, 2021, Colwell was arrested and charged with delivery of a controlled substance, and bond was set at $50,000. He then was re-arrested in September and charged with the death of Apple.
During the interview with DCI agents Colwell claimed: he was the only person with Apple after she suffered injuries, he never sought medical care for her, Apple only suffered the injuries after a fall from a vehicle, and that he made numerous attempts to carry her inside after the fall. In the process of carrying her, he dropped her numerous times causing further injuries to Apple.
DCI asked the pathologist who performed the autopsy if the injuries were consistent with what Colwell claimed. The pathologist stated they were not, and he concluded cause of death was homicide.
On Sept. 30 Colwell was charged with second degree murder in Eighth Judicial Court and plead not guilty to that charge. He is currently housed at the Goshen County Detention Center. Bond was set at $250,000. The trial has been set for March 14, 2022.