Episode 445: The Murder of Sid Wells

Oct 2

Sid Wells was about to start his senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder when he was shot to death in his condo. Initially a potential witness, his roommate, Thayne Smika, quickly became a suspect. But with limited tangible evidence, Smika could not be charged and was released - disappearing shortly after. Smika has remained on the run until this day despite a warrant out for his arrest on charges of first degree murder.

Anyone with any information about Smika is asked to call their local FBI office or their nearest American embassy or consulate. There is a $10,000 reward.

Sources for this episode:

http://fbi.gov/wanted/murders/thayne-alan-smika

https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=276

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148022159/sidney_lee-wells

https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/09/23/i-need-justice-for-sid-inside-boulders-unsolved-1983-murder-and-its-robert-redford-connection/

https://x.com/FBIDenver/status/1968388361845932049

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/murder-sid-wells-flna8c11488684

https://people.com/robert-redford-murder-shauna-boyfriend-sid-wells-thayne-smika-11815492

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/robert-redford-death-reignites-1983-murder-case

https://www.denverpost.com/2025/09/17/cold-case-murder-boulder-sid-wells/

https://www.eonline.com/news/1423068/what-happened-to-robert-redford-after-murder-of-daughters-boyfriend

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15108483/robert-redford-daughter-murdered-boyfriend-boulder-colorado-mystery.html