Man Found Guilty Of Murder In Woman's Death At Lakewood Motel

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — A Jefferson County jury found a man guilty Thursday of murder in the death of 32-year-old Rotasha Pryor-Thomas, the 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office said.

Jarvis Rondale Gates, 39, was convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence, the DA's office said.

Lakewood police were called to the Chalet Motel, 6051 West Alameda Ave., Nov. 2, 2019, after a report of a suspicious death. Police found Pryor-Thomas dead in the bathtub, with the water running and overflowing onto the floor, prosecutors said. Gates was arrested several days later in connection with her death.

Pryor-Thomas died of asphyxiation on the night of Oct. 31, prosecutors said.

"The Lakewood Police Department conducted a very thorough investigation that included DNA evidence, fingerprints, and cell phone mapping," the DA's office said in a news release.

"Surveillance footage from the motel also played a crucial role in the investigation and trial."

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Gates is being held at the Jefferson County jail. His sentencing is set for May 5.