Lake Charles-area family increases reward to $25,000 in Denver murder
The reward for information in the murder of 28-year-old Jacob "Jake" Brady, of Westlake, La., has been increased to $25,000.
DENVER, Colo. (KDVR) — The reward for information in the murder of Westlake, La., native Jacob "Jake" Brady, 28, has been increased to $25,000.
Brady’s body was found the day after Thanksgiving near Second Avenue and Utica Street in West Denver. Friends and family members collected donations to increase the reward fund with FOX31 partners Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
"He had a huge heart and he never wanted to see the bad in anyone. I often told him he was entirely too trusting and he needed to remember he wasn’t in Louisiana anymore," Brady's mother, Angie Gaskin, said. "He has two families that cherished and loved him and we are all devastated."
Denise Whitley knew Jake from when he was just 5 years old. They lived in a tight-knit community in Westlake, La. She even taught him in seventh and eighth grades.
"He loved all sports. He and my daughter actually played T-ball together at 5 and I can remember as the dugout mom, I can remember how much he just loved being there. He has always been a people person, even from that age. He wanted to spend time with his friends," Whitley said.
She says he was kind, a friend to everyone and a hard worker. When Jake initially moved to Colorado, everyone called him "Louisiana," according to his mother. Jake moved to Colorado with his dog Bella to explore the beauty of the state.
"When he got there on vacation, he never came back home, he absolutely loved it," Whitley said.
His death sent shockwaves through his hometown.
"Since I first heard of this, of course, you go through the crying and that phase of grief and the emotional, you get to the point where you’re confused, angry, don’t understand how this could happen," Whitley said.
Whitley said it speaks volumes about how much Jake was loved that so many people have helped raise money to increase the reward to bring someone to justice.
If you have any information that could help investigators, police are asking for information to be sent to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. The number is (720) 913-STOP. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for the reward that is now up to $25,000.