Delores Thorne, photographed at a
Telluride community event in 1964.




According to anonymous FAA, NTSB and FBI sources, last month's fatal crash of a local pilot's plane has been officially classified as a homicide.

"It appears as though party or parties unknown tampered with the plane's satnav and autopilot systems, causing a catastrophic combination of misnavigation and loss of control. This is now officially a criminal investigation, involving both State and Federal law enforcement agencies."

When contacted by this paper, Marshal Tramaine confirmed the homicide report. "Someone deked with the gadgets in that plane, no doubt about it. We've set up a toll-free number for people to call, anyone with a tip, or a clue, whatever. 1-800-555-5555.  People can also email me at William Tramaine at the Telluride Avalanche.  As always, your anonymity will be protected."

Asked if authorities had any leads on which of the plane's two occupants might have been the target of the homicide, Tramaine said, "Who knows? Might have been some nut, some pervert who likes to see things fall out of the sky. Might have been a drug deal gone wrong, an insurance scam, a jealous lover, or somebody with a personal grudge. Who knows what goes on in the mind of a golderned murderer? Far as I'm concerned, they're all nuts, to commit the crime in the first place. To hell with it."


December 14,1996

December 22,1996

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January 26, 1997