Jordan Shuford, 21, attended Highlands Ranch High School and graduated from Pinewood School in Pine, Colorado. He loved cars and things that went fast. Jordan had a passion for being in the mountains. He knew every road in the Rampart Range. Very much at home in the wilderness, Jordan even camped out in the winter.
Jordan studied auto mechanics and machine shop at Pickens Tech in Aurora. He became an ASE Certified Mechanic at age 17. His 72 Chevy Pickup with 4-wheel drive was his favorite vehicle. Jordan had a wide range of friends and “a lot of best friends ,” according to his mother, Rae Shuford of Parker. He loved every kind of music, from classical to rap. He was a guitar player.
Jordan had been dating 17-year-old Coral Beuthel on and off for about nine months. A straight A student who played in the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra, Coral shared Jordan’s love of animals. They broke up in December 2001, but on New Year’s eve they went to a party in Ken Caryl Ranch and came to the Shuford home in Parker about 4 am. They went to Jordan’s room in the basement at about 5 am. A little more than an hour later, Coral came running upstairs screaming that Jordan had shot himself.
Sheriff’s deputies took statements from Coral and Jim Shuford. It was determined Coral had gunshot residue on both hands. Jordan’s body showed bruises, contusions and a cut on the back of his arm. The death was ruled a suicide. Jordan’s parents believe otherwise.
Coral told Jordan’s parents she was carrying Jordan’s baby but this turned out not to be true. When the baby was born it was learned that another individual was the father and that conception took place after Jordan died.
In addition to his parents, Jim & Rae Shuford, Jordan is survived by a brother, Aaron, and a sister, Jolee.