The identity of a 73-year-old man whose remains were discovered inside a Colorado Springs residence has been released by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
Authorities identified the man as Alan Groom, whose remains were discovered September 24 at a home on Tappan Drive.
Groom’s wife, 62-year-old Sheldon “Shelly” Wilson, has been arrested in connection with the case. According to the information provided in court documents, Wilson faces charges including second-degree murder and tampering with a deceased human body.
The allegations against Wilson remain subject to the court process, while investigators continue working to determine exactly how Groom died.
What Happened to Alan Groom?
The investigation began after concerns about Groom’s whereabouts were brought to police.
According to the arrest affidavit, Wilson and her daughter went to the Colorado Springs Police Operations Center on September 19 and reported that Groom was dead inside the residence.
Officers subsequently went to the Tappan Drive property, where investigators discovered human remains.
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office later identified the remains as those of Alan Groom.
The circumstances described in the arrest affidavit indicate that Groom may have died months before authorities were notified.
Wife Allegedly Told Investigators Groom Died in March
Court documents state that Wilson told investigators Groom died sometime in March while she was away at work.
According to the affidavit, Wilson allegedly said that she returned home and found Groom unresponsive in bed but did not contact authorities at that time.
Investigators allege that Groom’s body remained inside the residence for approximately a week before Wilson moved the remains.
The affidavit further alleges that the remains were later dismembered and placed into two black plastic totes.
Police reportedly found decomposing human remains and what appeared to be a human leg inside one of the containers. Investigators also described finding another tightly packed bag wrapped in silver duct tape.
A small mattress with what appeared to be blood was reportedly discovered behind a privacy fence in the backyard.
These details come from investigative and court documents and have not been independently established as findings at trial.
Previous Police Calls Raised Concerns
The investigation has also brought attention to previous police contacts involving the Colorado Springs residence.
According to court records, officers had responded to the home 18 times since December 2024.
Several of those calls reportedly involved allegations that Wilson had abused Groom.
A family member also reportedly contacted police in December 2024 and alleged that Wilson had made statements about wanting to kill Groom.
Those earlier reports are part of the background described in the arrest affidavit and do not, by themselves, establish what ultimately caused Groom’s death.
Family Member Reported Concerns Before Discovery
The affidavit states that a family member contacted police on September 17, two days before Groom’s death was reported, because of concerns about his whereabouts.
Wilson reportedly told officers that Groom had entered outpatient hospice care.
Investigators later examined the circumstances surrounding that explanation as part of the broader death investigation.
The case remains active, and authorities have not publicly established the precise timeline leading to Groom’s death.
Wilson Allegedly Described History of Hurting Groom
According to the arrest affidavit, Wilson told detectives that she had previously hurt Groom while intoxicated.
The affidavit also reportedly states that Wilson had been drinking the night before she said she found Groom unresponsive.
These allegations are contained in the police investigation and should not be treated as proven facts unless established through the judicial process.
Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Cause and Manner of Death Remain Undetermined
Despite the disturbing circumstances described in court records, the official cause and manner of Alan Groom’s death have not yet been determined.
The discovery and identification of Groom’s remains provide investigators with additional information, but authorities still need to establish how and when he died.
Colorado Springs police continue investigating the case, while prosecutors will handle the criminal allegations against Wilson through the court system.
Alan Groom Case: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Alan Groom |
| Age | 73 |
| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Residence | Tappan Drive |
| Remains discovered | September 24, 2026 |
| Identified by | El Paso County Coroner’s Office |
| Suspect | Sheldon “Shelly” Wilson, 62 |
| Relationship | Wife |
| Reported charges | Second-degree murder and tampering with a deceased human body |
| Official cause of death | Undetermined |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
What Happens Next?
Investigators are expected to continue reviewing forensic evidence, witness statements, prior police reports and other information as they work to reconstruct the events surrounding Groom’s death.
The prosecution of Wilson will separately determine whether the allegations outlined in the arrest affidavit can be established in court.
Additional information could emerge as court proceedings continue and authorities release further findings.
For now, the coroner’s identification confirms the identity of the man whose remains were found at the Colorado Springs residence, while the central question of how Alan Groom died remains under investigation.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes information contained in the supplied investigative and court-record account. Allegations against Sheldon “Shelly” Wilson have not been proven in court. The official cause and manner of Alan Groom’s death remain undetermined, and additional information may emerge as the investigation and court proceedings continue.