Shadows of Justice - The Candace Hiltz Story

Candace Hiltz was a remarkable 17-year-old whose brilliance, courage, and compassion left an indelible mark on her family and the small community of Cañon City, Colorado. A child prodigy with dreams of becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Candace’s life was tragically cut short on August 15, 2006, in a brutal murder that remains unsolved. This blog post honors Candace’s vibrant spirit, her devotion to her daughter and family, and the Hiltz family’s relentless pursuit of justice amidst a flawed investigation and allegations of a cover-up. In the shadows of justice, Candace’s story shines as a call for truth and accountability.

A Brilliant Young Woman with Big Dreams

Born on December 22, 1988, in Cañon City, Candace Hiltz was a beacon of intelligence and determination. Described as a child prodigy, she was performing complex calculus by age 11 and had completed three years of college at Brigham Young University (BYU) through an online program by age 17. Accepted to Stanford Law School, Candace aspired to become a Supreme Court Justice, driven by a fierce passion for justice and a commitment to standing up for the mistreated. Her sister-in-law, Heather Hiltz, described her as “outspoken, smart, funny,” and unafraid to speak her mind, even when it ruffled feathers.

Candace’s life was not without challenges. At 17, she was a single mother to her 11-month-old daughter, Paige, who was born with hydrocephalus, a condition causing fluid buildup in the brain. Despite medical predictions that Paige had only hours to live at birth, she survived as a “miracle baby,” bringing joy to Candace’s life. Candace paused her studies to care for Paige, prioritizing her daughter’s needs while continuing her education online. Her love for Paige was profound, and she cherished every moment with her, knowing her daughter’s time might be limited.

Growing up in a large family with nine older brothers, Candace was a tomboy who loved bodybuilding and jewelry, particularly beaded necklaces. She was fiercely protective, especially of her brother James, who struggled with severe mental health issues, including paranoia and delusions. Candace’s strength was evident in her willingness to confront bullies and defend those she loved, a trait that defined her character but may have contributed to her tragic fate.

The Tragic Day of August 15, 2006

On August 15, 2006, Candace’s life was violently taken in her family’s home in the Copper Gulch area of Fremont County, Colorado. That morning, her mother, Dolores Hiltz, left at noon to run errands, leaving Candace to care for Paige. When Dolores returned at 3:30 p.m., she found Paige crying in her crib, alone and unharmed. The house bore chilling signs of violence: pools of blood, drag marks, and a shell casing by the fireplace. Following a trail of blood to Candace’s bedroom, Dolores made a heart-wrenching discovery—her daughter’s body, wrapped in a green comforter, stuffed under a bed propped up by a blood-stained computer speaker.

An autopsy revealed the brutality of the attack. Candace had suffered seven gunshot wounds: a .410 shotgun wound to the face, a .45 Long Colt revolver wound to the chest, and five .22-caliber rounds to the back of her head. Each wound was potentially fatal, indicating an act of extreme violence with no signs of robbery or sexual assault. The use of multiple weapons initially suggested multiple shooters, though later analysis by forensic expert Chris Robinson proposed a single shooter using two guns.

The days leading up to the murder were marked by disturbing events. On August 10, 2006, Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Dodd visited the Hiltz home to question Dolores about James, who was a suspect in a local trespassing incident. Candace, protective of her brother and mother, confronted Dodd, accusing him of taking bribes from drug dealers. She challenged him to arrest her, holding out her wrists, and threatened to expose his alleged corruption. Three days later, the family’s dog was found tied to a tree, killed with an axe or hatchet—a chilling precursor to Candace’s murder.

A Flawed Investigation and Allegations of a Cover-Up

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office investigation into Candace Hiltz’s murder was marred by errors from the start. The crime scene was not properly secured, and critical evidence—bloody towels, a green comforter, shotgun shells, and Candace’s shirt—was left behind. Investigators fixated on James Hiltz, Candace’s brother, as the prime suspect, despite his severe mental health issues and Dolores’s insistence that he was incapable of such violence. James, who lived in the woods behind the family home due to his paranoia, was apprehended after a three-day manhunt but charged only with unrelated burglary offenses. He was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, where he remains.

The investigation took a shocking turn in December 2016 when Cañon City resident Rick Ratzlaff purchased a storage unit at auction, previously rented by Detective Robert Dodd. Inside, he found envelopes marked “Evidence,” containing a bloody rope, an axe, bloody socks, and Candace’s blood-stained shirt. The discovery, reported by the Cañon City Daily Record, fueled suspicions of a cover-up, as the evidence had been removed from the sheriff’s office and stored in Dodd’s personal unit. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a probe, and Dodd was placed on administrative leave, retiring in April 2017. In June 2018, he was convicted of abuse of public records and two counts of official misconduct, receiving a 15-day jail sentence—a punishment the Hiltz family felt was inadequate.

Additional evidence raised further questions. A bone fragment found in the woods where James lived matched Candace’s DNA, prompting renewed scrutiny of his involvement. However, Dolores maintained that James, who avoided people and entered the home only when empty using a hidden knife, could not have coordinated such a crime. A bloody towel found off 15th Trail contained DNA from an unknown person, not a family member, suggesting another suspect. Despite these findings, no one has been charged with Candace’s murder, and the case remains open.

The Hiltz Family’s Enduring Pain and Advocacy

The loss of Candace Hiltz devastated her family. Dolores, who found her daughter’s body, has lived with haunting memories, describing the blood stains and shell casings etched in her mind. She has been a vocal advocate, pushing for CBI involvement and reaching out to the FBI and Justice Department, though her pleas often went unanswered. Heather Hiltz, Candace’s sister-in-law, called Candace her “sister,” emphasizing their close bond and the family’s shared grief. The discovery of evidence in Dodd’s storage unit reopened old wounds, with Heather noting, “We had no hope, because nobody gave a damn.” The family wore “Justice for Candace” T-shirts at Dodd’s trial, symbolizing their unwavering commitment to answers.

Paige, Candace’s daughter, became a source of light amidst the tragedy. Despite her hydrocephalus, Paige’s smile melted hearts, and she lived until November 22, 2012, passing at age seven due to her illness. Her organs were donated, extending her legacy of giving. Dolores raised Paige in Cotopaxi after Candace’s death, cherishing her granddaughter’s memory while mourning her daughter. The family’s pain was compounded by the focus on James, whom they believe was scapegoated due to his mental instability. Dolores insists, “He was suicidal and a delusional mess, but he could not have hurt her.”

The Hiltz family has faced public scrutiny and a lack of closure. Dolores wrote a scathing grievance letter to the sheriff’s office, alleging a sloppy investigation and a rush to blame James. The family considered a lawsuit against the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, believing the mishandled evidence points to a cover-up, possibly involving law enforcement. Their advocacy continues, with hopes that renewed attention from shows like Cold Justice (Season 6, 2021) will prompt a breakthrough.

Candace’s Legacy: A Call for Truth

Candace Hiltz was a prodigy, a devoted mother, and a fierce advocate for justice, qualities that defined her short but impactful life. Her murder, detailed in Cold Justice and Trace Evidence podcasts, remains a chilling mystery, compounded by investigative failures and allegations of corruption. The Hiltz family’s resilience—through Dolores’s advocacy, Heather’s loyalty, and their collective fight for truth—keeps Candace’s memory alive.

To honor Candace:

1. Listen to Candace’s story, covered on Dark Dialogue. It can be listed to everyplace you get podcasts, or on the player below.
2. Learn Her Story: Watch Cold Justice (Season 6) on Oxygen or listen to Trace Evidence (Episodes 16 and update) for detailed accounts.
3. Support Cold Case Advocacy: Contribute to organizations like the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s cold case unit or local victim support groups.
4. Raise Awareness: Share Candace’s story to keep pressure on authorities for answers in this unresolved Fremont County murder.
5. Stay Informed: Follow updates on true crime on this website. We will post updates as they become available.
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Candace’s dreams of justice live on through her family’s fight. In the shadows of justice, her brilliance and love for Paige and her family shine brightly. May the Hiltz family find the answers they seek, and may Candace’s legacy inspire accountability and truth.