On Thursday, Oct. 17, Bruce Schmalz, commander in the West End for Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, called the San Miguel Basin Forum at noon with news that Dan Bishop had been arrested for the murder of Dale Williams. It was a big day for Schmalz who remembers the day Williams went missing — May 27, 1999.
Montrose County released a statement that day, which Schmalz sent to the Forum for immediatel release.
That statement said the investigation was assumed by the county (from Nucla) July 4, 1999, when Williams’ truck was discovered at the confluence of the San Miguel and Dolores rivers, and that since then, the county has worked alongside other agencies, including Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) and the FBI.
“There have been countless interviews and hundreds of hours of investigation poured into this case,” said Montrose County Sheriff Gene R. Lillard. “It has taken an entire team effort of law enforcement, family and concerned citizens to bring the case to where it is today. We are grateful for the in-depth investigation over the last 25 years by the agents of (CBI) and investigators and deputies of the Montrose County Sheriff's Office.”
The statement said the arrest warrant affidavit was written by Brandon Ludwig, private investigator for CBI, and was signed by Honorable Montrose County Court Judge Laura Harvell. Bond was set at $1 million, cash only, for Bishop’s arrest, for murder in the first degree, a Class 1 felony.
The Forum spoke with both Schmalz and Ludwig and asked if Williams’ remains had been located. They had no comment as of press time. Though, the 19-page arrest warrant affidavit makes no mention of remains being discovered or any location of Williams’ body.
Williams’ oldest daughter, Tonee Lawrence, who was 19 at the time of her dad’s disappearance, spoke with the Forum last Friday morning. Undoubtedly, she and her younger sister, Sara Luster, who was 17 at the time, have suffered much the last 25 years.
Lawrence said she and her sister have some relief, but she said it’s not over.
"Though we are grateful for CBI and Brandon Ludwig, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office and Chuck Searcy, and the many others involved for bringing charges, we are still a long way away from closure,” she said. “There is still a potential trial and conviction needed to close our dad’s case. At this time, our family is asking the community we love so much to rally. Please bring forward any additional information you may have regarding our dad’s case, or Dan Bishop. Now is the time to bring our dad home.”
Bishop did appear in court last Friday, Oct. 18, related to his bond, which was reduced to $500,000 cash. Bishop was then ordered not to contact, intimidate or harass Willliams’ daughters or Williams’ ex-wife, Diana Starks. Additionally, Bishop is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. He is scheduled to appear again on Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m. for the filing of charges.
Lawrence told the Forum she was grateful to the Nucla community, the Forum, the authorities and more. She hopes anyone holding onto information will reach out to Ludwig at this time.
“We are appreciative,” she said.
