Party boy made his FINAL CALLS at 3am

On June 5, 2004, Jesse Valencia's body was found in a patch of grass near his apartment, wearing only running shorts, with a deep gash across his throat. Bruises on his face, arms, and torso, along with hemorrhaging in his eyes, suggested he was choked unconscious before his throat was cut.

Medical examiner's findings at the crime scene; victim found in light blue running shorts with no defensive wounds on hands, blood pooled under body, hemorrhaging in eyes.

Jesse spent the night of June 3rd with Ed McDevitt, a new acquaintance, and then attended a party on June 4th where Ed eventually joined him. After Ed left around 3 AM, Jesse attempted to contact his ex-boyfriend Jack Barry multiple times and visited his apartment, feeling lonely and heartbroken.

Jesse's cell phone records showing calls to Jack Barry between 3:00 and 3:18 AM; Jack Barry's testimony about Jesse knocking on his door.

Jesse's neighbor heard two men fighting in Jesse's apartment around 3 AM, with Jesse repeatedly saying 'No, and stop it.' Jesse's apartment door was found open, with no signs of struggle inside, suggesting the altercation began there and moved outside.

Neighbor's account of hearing a fight and Jesse's pleas; open apartment door and lack of struggle evidence inside.

A tip from Jesse's friend revealed Jesse was having a secret affair with an older, married police officer, referred to as 'Columbia's finest' or 'Anderson.' Jesse was furious upon realizing the officer was married and threatened to expose the affair.

Online chat logs between Jesse and his friend detailing the affair; Jesse's threat to go to the police chief.

Detective Short initially suspected an officer named Anderson. However, a derogatory comment by Officer Steven Rios, Brad Anderson's partner, about Jesse being Brad's 'gay lover' raised suspicion. Further confirmation came from Jesse's friend Andy Shermerhorn, who identified Rios as the officer involved in a threesome with Jesse, revealing Rios had been using a stolen 'Anderson' name tag to hide his identity.

Officer Rios's comment about Brad Anderson; Andy Shermerhorn's identification of Rios from the police department yearbook.

Steven Rios, a married police officer, murdered Jesse Valencia to prevent the exposure of their affair. Jesse's threat to reveal the relationship, which would have ruined Rios's career and marriage, led Rios to choke and then slash Jesse's throat. Rios was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Reconstructed events based on investigation; Rios's conviction and sentencing.