The Murder of Oakey "Al" Kite
On May 24, 2004, coworkers at a Denver engineering firm grew concerned when Oakey "Al" Kite Jr. failed to show up for work. The 53-year-old project manager was known for his reliability and dedication, making his absence particularly alarming. When police conducted a welfare check at his Aurora townhouse, they discovered a crime scene so brutal and methodical that it would haunt investigators for decades to come.
What they found in the basement of Al's home wasn't just a murder scene, it was evidence of a carefully orchestrated hunt by a predator who had been shopping for the perfect victim. The case of Al Kite represents one of the most chilling examples of premeditated violence in Colorado's criminal history, made even more disturbing by the calculated precision with which his killer covered his tracks.
The Victim: A Life Cut Short
Oakey Albert Kite Jr., known to everyone as Al, embodied the kind of person who makes communities stronger. The divorced father had moved to Aurora in 1998, drawn by Colorado's outdoor lifestyle and the opportunities it offered. Those who knew him described a man of simple pleasures who found joy in fishing, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. His colleagues respected him as a skilled project manager who had worked on significant engineering projects including the Surry Nuclear Plant in North Carolina and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories in California.
Al's personal life reflected his kind nature. Though divorced, he maintained an amicable relationship with his former wife and had developed a loving relationship with his girlfriend's daughter. At 53, he seemed to have found his stride in life, building meaningful relationships while pursuing a career that challenged and fulfilled him. He was engaged to be married, looking forward to a future that would never come.
The decision that ultimately led to his death was entirely innocent. Al had placed an advertisement in the local newspaper seeking a roommate to rent the basement apartment in his townhouse. For a man living alone, it seemed like a practical way to generate extra income while potentially gaining companionship. He had no way of knowing that his advertisement would attract the attention of someone who wasn't looking for housing at all, but for a victim.
The Man Called Robert Cooper
The individual who responded to Al's advertisement introduced himself as Robert Cooper, but investigators would later discover that virtually everything about this identity was fabricated. Cooper presented himself as a potential tenant, visiting Al's home multiple times in the days leading up to the murder. To those who encountered him, Cooper appeared to be a man in his late 30s to early 40s with curly dark hair and a distinctive limp that required him to use a cane.
Al's girlfriend, Linda Angelopulos, had an unsettling encounter with Cooper during one of his visits. She described how the man seemed deliberately evasive, turning his face away whenever she was present and leaving abruptly when she arrived at the house. This behavior struck her as odd, but neither she nor Al could have imagined the sinister purpose behind Cooper's strange demeanor.
What made Cooper particularly dangerous was his methodical approach to victim selection. Investigators later discovered that he had contacted multiple landlords and property owners throughout the Denver area, responding to various rental advertisements. This pattern suggests that Cooper wasn't randomly targeting Al Kite specifically, but was systematically evaluating potential victims until he found someone who met his criteria for vulnerability and opportunity.
The false information Cooper provided when applying to rent from Al revealed the depth of his deception. Every detail about his background, employment, and references was completely fabricated. This level of premeditation indicates that Cooper had planned his actions well in advance, creating an entire false identity specifically for the purpose of gaining access to victims' homes.
A Scene of Unimaginable Brutality
When police entered Al's townhouse on May 24, 2004, the upper levels appeared normal, giving no indication of the horror that awaited them in the basement. What Detective Thomas Sobieski and his colleagues discovered there would be seared into their memories forever. Sobieski, a veteran investigator, later described it as "the worst crime scene I've ever seen."
Al's body lay face-down in the basement, bound in a grotesque position that investigators recognized as "hogtying." His hands were tied behind his back, with his feet then bound to his wrists, creating a position that would have been both painful and completely immobilizing. The binding method itself was unusual and would later provide crucial clues about the killer's possible background and training.
The autopsy revealed the full extent of the torture Al had endured. He had been stabbed 22 times with his own kitchen knives, with wounds deliberately placed to prolong suffering rather than cause immediate death. The killer had inserted knives above Al's eyes, into his ears, and through his shoulders. Perhaps most disturbing was the evidence of "falaka," a specific form of torture involving the brutal beating of the soles of the feet. Al's feet showed extensive bruising and wounds consistent with this ancient method of extracting information through pain.
The positioning of Al's body and the nature of his injuries suggested that the killer had taken his time, torturing his victim for what the coroner estimated to be several hours. The near-decapitation wounds indicated a level of violence that went far beyond what would be necessary to kill, suggesting either a deeply personal motivation or someone who derived satisfaction from inflicting pain.
Perhaps most chilling was the discovery that Al had been struck from behind while descending the basement stairs, likely the first attack in what would become hours of torture. This detail painted a picture of Cooper waiting in ambush, suggesting that the meeting itself was nothing more than a trap from the beginning.
The Methodical Cover-Up
What set this crime apart from typical murders was the sophisticated level of evidence destruction that followed. After torturing and killing Al, Cooper embarked on a methodical cleaning operation that demonstrated both criminal sophistication and an intimate knowledge of forensic investigation techniques.
Cooper filled Al's kitchen sink with bleach and systematically submerged every item he had touched during the crime. This included the kitchen knives used in the attack, a honing rod that had likely been used to torture Al's feet, the house key Al had given him, a pen, a drinking glass, and Al's car keys. The use of bleach was specifically intended to destroy any DNA evidence that might have been left on these items.
The killer's attention to detail extended beyond just cleaning murder weapons. He took a shower in Al's home, poured bleach down the drains, and even removed trash that might have contained evidence of his presence. This level of cleanup suggested someone with either criminal experience or knowledge of police investigative procedures.
Despite these extensive efforts, Cooper made two crucial mistakes that would provide investigators with their only leads. A single drop of blood on the basement stairs, overlooked in his cleaning frenzy, would later provide DNA evidence crucial to the investigation. Additionally, a crumpled rental agreement found in a trash can gave police their first solid clue about the false identity Cooper had used to gain Al's trust.
After completing his cleanup, Cooper stole Al's pickup truck and drove to a nearby Wells Fargo ATM, where surveillance cameras captured him withdrawing approximately $1,000 from Al's account. Even during this brazen theft, Cooper maintained his careful approach to avoiding identification, wearing a ski mask and gloves that completely concealed his features.
International Connections and Disturbing Patterns
As investigators delved deeper into the case, they uncovered details that suggested Cooper might have international connections or training. The specific torture methods used, particularly the falaka technique and the unusual binding pattern, were not commonly known in American criminal circles but were associated with specific organizations and geographical regions.
Intelligence analyst Julie Quinn, who consulted on the case, identified striking similarities between Al's murder and methods used by the Turkish Hezbollah, a radical Kurdish Islamic group that emerged in the 1980s. This organization was known for using hogtying as a signature method and employing falaka as a torture technique to extract information and maintain compliance from victims.
The binding pattern used on Al was particularly specific, involving restraints around the upper arms above the elbows and twice above the knees. This method, combined with the foot torture, suggested either direct training by or connection to organizations that used these specific techniques. The precision with which these methods were applied indicated that Cooper wasn't improvising but was following established procedures he had learned elsewhere.
DNA phenotyping conducted by Parabon NanoLabs has provided additional clues about Cooper's possible ethnic background. The genetic analysis suggests Eastern European ancestry, possibly Romanian, which could support theories about international connections. Witnesses also reported that Cooper may have spoken with a slight Eastern European accent, though this detail has never been definitively confirmed.
The international angle raises disturbing questions about Cooper's background and motivations. Was this a case of someone trained in interrogation and torture techniques applying those skills to random victims? Or could there have been a specific reason Al was targeted that investigators have yet to uncover?
Potential Connections to Other Cases
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Al Kite investigation has been the identification of potentially related crimes that share similar patterns and methods. Investigators have identified at least two other cases that bear striking resemblances to Al's murder, suggesting that Cooper may have been responsible for multiple crimes.
The case that most closely parallels Al's murder is that of Mike Emert, a real estate agent whose death shares numerous similarities with the Kite case. Like Al, Emert was contacted by a man claiming to be interested in property rental. The suspect in both cases was described as being in his 40s or early 50s, walking with a limp and carrying a cane. Both victims were attacked from behind and then brutally tortured and stabbed to death.
In both murders, the killer demonstrated the same meticulous approach to evidence destruction, thoroughly cleaning the crime scenes and removing potential forensic evidence. Perhaps most tellingly, both killers stole their victims' vehicles and drove them to secondary locations before abandoning them, and in both cases, the victims' personal belongings were found discarded in unusual public locations.
Another potential connection involves Lee Scott Hall, who worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory at the same time as Al Kite. Hall was found murdered in his home under circumstances that investigators described as "excessively brutal." While the specifics of Hall's murder haven't been publicly detailed to the same extent as Al's, the fact that both men worked for the same sensitive government facility has raised questions about whether their deaths could be connected to their professional work.
The possibility that Cooper is a serial killer operating with a consistent method of victim selection and execution is particularly chilling. If these cases are indeed connected, it suggests a predator who may have been active for years, using classified advertisements and property rentals as hunting grounds for vulnerable victims.
The Investigation Continues
More than twenty years after Al Kite's murder, the investigation remains active, with new technologies offering hope for a breakthrough. The Aurora Police Department has partnered with the FBI to conduct genetic genealogy testing on the DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene. This cutting-edge technique has proven successful in solving numerous cold cases by using DNA profiles to trace family trees and ultimately identify suspects.
The genetic genealogy approach has already provided some promising leads, with investigators successfully identifying relatives of the suspect in the Balkans region. This development supports earlier theories about Cooper's Eastern European background and may eventually lead to his identification and capture.
Detective Tom Sobieski, who has worked the case for years, remains optimistic about the potential for new developments. The combination of improved DNA analysis techniques, international cooperation in genetic databases, and the possibility of Cooper's relatives submitting DNA samples to genealogy services creates multiple avenues for a potential breakthrough.
The case has also benefited from renewed media attention, including features on television programs like "The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes" and numerous true crime podcasts. This exposure has generated new tips and leads, some of which investigators are still pursuing.
The Man Behind the Monster
While investigators have developed a detailed profile of Cooper's methods and possible background, the person behind the Robert Cooper alias remains largely a mystery. What drives someone to carefully select victims, gain their trust, and then subject them to hours of torture before killing them? The psychological profile of such an individual reveals someone who likely derives pleasure from control and the infliction of pain.
The methodical nature of Cooper's approach suggests someone with either military or law enforcement training, or possibly someone who has worked in intelligence or security fields where interrogation techniques would be part of their skill set. The international connections implied by his torture methods raise the possibility that he may have served in conflicts abroad or been involved with organizations that employed such techniques.
Perhaps most disturbing is the evidence that Cooper was actively hunting for victims, systematically responding to rental advertisements and evaluating potential targets. This behavior indicates someone who has likely killed before and may have continued killing after Al's murder. The level of sophistication in his evidence destruction techniques suggests experience with avoiding detection.
A Community's Quest for Justice
Al Kite's murder sent shockwaves through the Aurora community and beyond. For those who knew him, the senseless brutality of his death was incomprehensible. How could someone so kind and trusting become the victim of such calculated evil? The randomness of his selection as a victim has haunted everyone who followed the case, serving as a stark reminder of how vulnerable we all are to predators who hide behind false identities.
Linda Angelopulos, Al's girlfriend at the time of his death, has become an advocate for keeping the case in the public eye. Her brief encounter with Cooper and her instinct that something was wrong about him serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting our intuition when something feels off about a situation or person.
The case has also highlighted the challenges facing law enforcement when dealing with highly intelligent and methodical criminals. Cooper's ability to create a completely false identity, systematically destroy evidence, and disappear without a trace demonstrates the limitations of traditional investigative techniques when confronting someone with apparent training in avoiding detection.
For the Aurora Police Department, Al's case represents more than just an unsolved murder; it's a test of their commitment to justice and their ability to adapt to new investigative technologies. The department's willingness to partner with federal agencies and embrace cutting-edge genetic genealogy techniques demonstrates their dedication to finally bringing Cooper to justice.
The Technology of Hope
As we move further into the 21st century, advances in forensic science continue to offer new hope for solving cold cases like Al Kite's murder. The DNA evidence that Cooper left behind, despite his careful cleanup efforts, may ultimately prove to be his undoing. Genetic genealogy has already revolutionized cold case investigations, leading to the identification and arrest of numerous suspects in cases that had been dormant for decades.
The success of genetic genealogy in cases like that of the Golden State Killer has demonstrated that even the most careful criminals can be identified through their genetic relatives. As more people submit DNA samples to commercial genealogy services, the potential for identifying Cooper through his family connections continues to grow.
Additionally, advances in DNA phenotyping are providing investigators with increasingly accurate physical descriptions of suspects based solely on genetic evidence. The composite images created from Cooper's DNA have given investigators and the public a much clearer picture of what he likely looked like at the time of the murder.
Lessons in Vigilance
The murder of Al Kite serves as a sobering reminder of the predators that exist in our society and the sophisticated methods they may employ to select and approach their victims. Cooper's use of classified advertisements and property rentals as hunting grounds highlights the importance of being cautious when dealing with strangers, even in seemingly routine transactions.
The case also underscores the value of trusting our instincts when something feels wrong about a situation. Linda Angelopulos' discomfort with Cooper's behavior, while not specific enough to prevent the tragedy, serves as an example of how our subconscious minds often pick up on danger signals that our rational minds might dismiss.
For law enforcement, Al's case represents both the challenges and opportunities presented by highly sophisticated criminals. While Cooper's methodical approach to evidence destruction initially stymied the investigation, the same attention to detail that made him dangerous also provides investigators with a wealth of behavioral evidence that may ultimately lead to his identification.
The story of Oakey "Al" Kite is more than just another true crime case; it's a testament to the enduring impact that one person's kindness can have on a community and the lengths to which people will go to seek justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves. As investigators continue to pursue new leads and employ cutting-edge technologies, the hope remains that Al will finally receive the justice he deserves and that his killer will be brought to account for his crimes.
Until that day comes, Al's case serves as a powerful reminder of both the evil that exists in our world and the determination of those who refuse to let that evil go unpunished. In a world where headlines often focus on the darkness of human nature, the ongoing efforts to solve Al's murder represent the light of human commitment to justice and the belief that even the most carefully hidden truths will eventually come to light.
The investigation into Robert Cooper's true identity continues, with new developments possible at any time. For those who knew and loved Al Kite, and for a community that refuses to forget, the pursuit of justice remains as strong today as it was on that terrible day in May 2004 when a kind man's life was cut short by unspeakable evil.
Sources:
Federal Bureau of Investigation - VICAP
Paul Holes Investigates Colorado Murder Of Oakey 'Al' Kite - Oxygen
Cold case: 15 years later, police still think renter killed Aurora man - Denver7
A new Oxygen true-crime show investigates an Aurora man's brutal, unsolved murder - The Denver Post
Looking For A Victim- The Murder Of Al Kite - Murder & Malice
The Deck Podcast - Oakey "Al" Kite
Last Seen Alive Podcast - Unsolved Homicide: Oakey "Al" Kite Jr
