Jason Schaefer, a 33-year-old postal worker, was gunned down in broad daylight while making his rounds.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before seeing a hooded figure flee the crime scene.
The criminal investigation quickly revealed that this was no random act of violence.
Schaefer’s ex-girlfriend, Devan Schreiner, and her boyfriend, AJ Ritchie, had planned a cold-blooded murder.
But why did they do that? Let's get into it.
Background of the Case
Jason Schaefer was a U.S. Postal Service worker living in Colorado.
He had dedicated his life to delivering mail and supporting his young son, whom he shared with his ex-girlfriend, Devan Schreiner.
The couple had met while working together at the postal service, and their relationship led to the birth of their son in 2015.
Their relationship began on a bright note, but it wasn’t long before cracks began to show.
According to Jason’s mother, Lori Hebert, Jason was hardworking and valued financial stability, while Devan preferred not to work and focus solely on being a mother.
This reportedly caused tension, and eventually, they separated.
After their breakup, disagreements over custody of their child created ongoing conflict.
Jason wanted to play a more active role in his son's life, but Devan resisted, leading to legal actions from Jason.
Just two days before he was murdered, he officially filed for increased custody of his son.
This legal move set off a chain of events that would ultimately cost him his life.
Adding to the tension, Jason started dating Devan’s younger sister, Rosa Schreiner.
Even though Devan had moved on and was dating Andrew "AJ" Ritchie, she reportedly reacted badly to the news that her sister was now living with Jason.
 |
| Devan Schreiner. |
The Shooting Incident
On the afternoon of October 13, 2021, the Longmont community was shaken by an act of violence that occurred in broad daylight.
At around noon, neighbors reported hearing five gunshots echoing through the suburban streets.
Tragically, Jason Schaefer had been shot and he was found lying in a pool of his own blood.
He had been shot at close range as he tried to do his normal mail delivery to residents in the quiet neighborhood.
Dr. Richard Lettieri, a forensic neuropsychologist, discussed the nature of the murder on the show "A Plan to Kill", by Oxygen True Crime.
He stated that the shooting showed signs of "revenge killing" carried out with deep anger.
 |
| Jason Schaefer |
The Criminal Investigation: How Jason Schaefer’s Killer Was Caught?
The investigation into Jason Schaefer’s murder began immediately after the shooting, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the events of that fateful day.
One of the first breakthroughs came from surveillance footage.
Multiple Ring cameras in the neighborhood captured an individual in a dark hoodie and blue mask fleeing the scene after the shooting.
However, identifying the person behind the mask proved to be a challenge.
As the investigation progressed, detectives turned their attention to Schaefer’s personal life.
They learned about his tumultuous relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Devan Schreiner, and her apparent anger over his new relationship with her younger sister, Rosa.
This discovery shifted the focus of the investigation toward Schreiner and her boyfriend, AJ Ritchie.
A critical piece of evidence emerged when investigators analyzed Schreiner’s movements on the day of the murder.
GPS data from her mail scanner revealed that it had been stationary for an hour during the time of the shooting, contradicting her alibi of being at Ritchie’s house.
Additionally, surveillance footage showed Schreiner’s black Nissan Rogue driving near the crime scene on the day of the shooting, further linking her to the crime.
Ritchie’s involvement also became very clear when detectives examined his cell phone data.
His phone was tracked along Schaefer’s mail route that morning, suggesting he had been following Schaefer for hours.
A Snapchat photo recovered from Ritchie’s phone added another layer of evidence—it showed Schreiner wearing an outfit nearly identical to the shooter’s description.
Text messages between Schreiner and Ritchie provided the most damning evidence.
Months before the murder, Ritchie had sent Schreiner messages like, “You could just kill them both,” referring to Schaefer and Rosa.
Finally, cell phone records showed a three-hour call between the two on the morning of the shooting, showing a clear picture of a coordinated plan.
Possible Motives
The shooting death of Jason Schaefer left investigators and the public grappling with the question: Why would someone want to kill a seemingly harmless postal worker?
The criminal investigation into his murder however uncovered two possible motives according to police reports:
1) Custody Battle: Schreiner was served court papers just two days before the murder, informing her that Jason was seeking increased custody.
2) Romantic Jealousy: Schaefer’s new relationship with Schreiner’s younger sister, Rosa, seemed to enrage her.
Investigators uncovered text messages between Schreiner and Ritchie, where Ritchie suggested they “end Rosa and Jason.”
This jealousy and anger appear to have been a catalyst for her decision to take drastic and violent action.
Schreiner and Ritchie
Justice For Jason Schaefer: Legal Proceedings
Both Schreiner and Ritchie were charged with first-degree murder, as reported by Denver Post.
During the trial, prosecutors presented overwhelming physical and digital evidence to prove their case.
They explained that while Schreiner was the shooter, Ritchie was the “eyes and ears” of the operation, tracking Schaefer’s movements and coordinating with Schreiner.
In March 2023, Schreiner was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Ritchie received the same sentence later that year.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “These two robbed Jason’s family of a beloved son, father, and friend. Today, they are held fully accountable.”
Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately.
You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.
Comments
Post a Comment