Colorado Woman Accused of Stabbing Her Mother to Death, Covering Body With Blankets, and Telling Child to Stay Silent

WESTMINSTER, Colorado — A Colorado woman is in custody after allegedly stabbing her mother to death, covering the body with blankets, and telling her young child not to talk about what happened, according to police and court documents.The Disturbance Call and Shocking Discovery

The Westminster Police Department said officers responded to a call around 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, for what was initially described as a “disturbance” at a residence in the city’s western suburbs.

When officers arrived, they found 37-year-old Sarah Riste sitting on the front steps of the home with a small child, later confirmed to be her own. Riste’s shirt and hands were covered in blood, according to reports from the Denver Post, which cited an arrest affidavit.

Riste had allegedly been the one to call police herself, telling dispatchers that there had been “an accident inside the home.”

Once officers entered the house, they immediately saw blood on the walls and found the body of 64-year-old Kathy Johnson, Riste’s mother, covered with multiple blankets at the end of a hallway. Officials said the victim showed “visible signs of trauma” and was already deceased when police arrived.

“Mom Stabbed Grandma”: Child’s Heartbreaking Words

Police said Riste had been yelling at the child outside before officers arrived, warning them not to speak about what had happened.

However, investigators noted that the child later told officers “something to the effect of: mom stabbed grandma, mom is going to jail, grandma is dead and now I don’t have anyone.”

The child has since been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services, Westminster police confirmed.

Motive and Confession

During questioning, Riste allegedly told detectives that she and her mother had been arguing inside the home, and that she had been subjected to “years of emotional abuse.”

Riste said she grabbed a kitchen knife during the altercation and stabbed Johnson multiple times. She reportedly gave few other details, aside from claiming that the situation had “gotten out of control.”

Police said Riste gave officers permission to enter the residence, but offered no clear explanation for why she tried to hide her mother’s body afterward.

Court Proceedings

Court records show that Riste has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She is being held without bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday in Adams County District Court.

The Westminster Police Department has not released the full details of the child’s statement or any prior reports of domestic violence at the home, but officials confirmed this was not the first time officers had responded to that address.

The incident has deeply shaken the Westminster community, with neighbors describing the family as “quiet” and “mostly private.” For more on this developing case and other Colorado crime updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.