Man Who Killed Woman, Dumped Body On I-25 Guilty Of Murder

DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO –The man accused of killing a woman and dumping her body alongside I-25 in Douglas County was found guilty on all counts related to the murder and will spend the rest of his life in prison, the Douglas County District Attorney's Office said.

A Douglas County District Court jury on Wednesday found Mihail Petrov, 38, guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation and seven other counts related to the death of Shelby Weatherly, 24.

Weatherly’s body was found by a passing motorist along southbound Interstate 25 near the Greenland exit in unincorporated Douglas County on Sept. 30, 2017. An autopsy found 19 stab wounds and over 50 injuries.

“This cold-blooded killer stabbed an innocent young woman 19 times, including to both sides of her neck, her jugular, and her heart. He caused 14 other cuts and 39 other external abrasions. And then he dumped her body like garbage,” said District Attorney George Brauchler, in a statement. “There is no room in our society for such a monster. Life without the possibility of parole—ever—is the only appropriate sentence our system can give.”

Petrov was identified after an intensive investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Forensic evidence, videos, photos and witnesses all played a part, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors told the jury that Petrov’s fingerprints were on items found with Weatherly’s body. Weatherly’s blood was found on Petrov’s clothing and in his car; and Petrov admitted to two people he had killed someone who was on the news.

He asked an acquaintance, “Do you want to smell human blood?” prosecutors said.

When Petrov was arrested Oct. 13, 2017, he was in a stolen vehicle and was carrying cocaine and methamphetamine. He attempted to escape after being arrested but was unsuccessful.

“This is the man who killed Shelby, dumped her body and was caught literally red-handed,” Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Jason Siers told the jury during closing arguments.

Petrov was found guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, attempted escape, metro vehicle theft and drug possession.

In a separate hearing Thursday, Petrov was found to be a habitual criminal. Sentencing is scheduled for April 30. The statutory sentence for first-degree murder is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Related: I-25 Body Homicide: Arrest In Shelby Weatherly Case, Says Douglas Co. Sheriff's Dept.

Related: Body Found On I-25 IDed, Douglas Co. Sheriff Seeks Information

Related: Body Found On I-25 Is Homicide Victim: Sheriff

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