Suspect Arrested in Connection with Death of Colorado Doberman Breeder

Authorities in Clear Creek County have arrested a suspect in the murder of Paul Peavey, a 57-year-old dog breeder from Colorado. Sergio Ferrer, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder and robbery following the discovery of Peavey’s body on his property near Idaho Springs. Ferrer was taken into custody on August 24 on an unrelated warrant from Nebraska, the same day Peavey’s body was found.

Ferrer, who formerly owned a hair salon in Idaho Springs named Infamous Cutz, had recently been working part-time at Cabin Creek Brewery in Georgetown. Craig Abrahamson, the brewery owner, mentioned that Ferrer had never shown any issues at work. According to Ferrer’s roommate, Erick Trujillo, Ferrer had contacted him to cover a shift on the night of August 19, the date investigators believe Peavey was murdered.

Peavey was last seen alive nearly a week before his body was discovered by friends and community members during a search of his property off Two Brothers Road. Alongside Peavey’s death, ten Doberman Pinscher puppies he bred were also reported missing and have yet to be found.

In an arrest affidavit, investigators describe multiple inconsistent accounts Ferrer provided regarding his interactions with Peavey. Initially, Ferrer claimed he had not visited Peavey’s property recently. Later, he changed his story, stating he went there to settle a debt related to adopting a dog. He further alleged Peavey had connections to a cartel and kept guns and drugs on his property, claims that a friend of Peavey’s dismissed as “ridiculous.”

Ferrer also stated that Peavey tried to shoot him first with a derringer, and he responded by shooting Peavey multiple times with a 9mm handgun. A 9mm firearm, Peavey’s phone, metal detecting equipment, and other items were later found at Ferrer’s residence.

Despite a detailed missing person report from a friend, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office did not initially investigate Peavey’s disappearance with urgency. Sheriff Matt Harris acknowledged this oversight, describing it as a setback in his efforts to reform the department. When officers did eventually visit Peavey’s property, they conducted only a brief inspection and left without finding anything suspicious. It was not until a community-organized search that Peavey’s body was discovered partially buried.

The community is grappling with the shock and sadness following the news of Peavey’s death and Ferrer’s arrest. An internal review by the sheriff’s office is expected, but Sheriff Harris noted the difference between bad decision-making and policy violations, suggesting further actions might be necessary.

Further investigations revealed that Ferrer initially denied, but later admitted, stealing the missing puppies, some of which were allegedly sold in Denver. Evidence surfaced when a photo of the puppies, shared on social media by Ferrer’s daughter, led to suspicions and eventual confirmation of their identity.

Jeannie Dalrymple, a local resident who connected the dots through her daughter’s social media interactions, expressed her disbelief and sorrow over the situation. “I’m stunned and really sad,” she shared, reflecting the broader community sentiment of shock and grief.