Newkirk, Jeffery Burt

Jeffrey Burt Newkirk, 20, of Evergreen Colorado, attended Colorado Academy. He enjoyed his motorcyle and loved to hike around the mountains. Jeffrey was an accomplished pianist, studying piano here and in England. He won several competitions. His teacher in England said Jeffrey was her star pupil. When Jeffrey’s parents were ready to depart for the United States, the teacher said, sadly, “You’ve given me the pupil of my life and now you’re going to take him away. Jeffrey’s father, Dr. John Newkirk, describes his son as “brilliant” but with “brilliant sensitivities.” In September 1979, Jeffrey decided to travel to California to live with a cousin. For a short while they lived together, then Jeffrey moved out. After a few weeks of not hearing from Jeffrey, the cousin went to his apartment and found he was missing. But all his clothes and backpack were still there. A report was made to the Los Angeles police. The following January, a hiker discovered Jeffrey’s remains on a California hillside. But they lay unidentified in a morgue. Meanwhile, Jeffrey’s parents had hired a private investigator and travelled to California. They spurred law enforcement to appoint a new investigator. They supplied dental charts and x-rays. One year after he was reported missing, the remains in the morgue were identified as those of Jeffrey Newkirk. A cause of death was never definitely determined, but homicide is suspected.