Arapahoe County, CO: Murder Suspect Jumps To His Death At Jail Man Had Been Arrested Sunday In Fatal Shooting

POSTED: 2:35 pm MST February 15, 2010
UPDATED: 4:05 pm MST February 15, 2010
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. -- A murder suspect committed suicide at the Arapahoe County jail on Monday by jumping from a second-floor walkway to a concrete floor, officials said.
Roberto Silva, 54, "intentionally jumped" a distance of about 18 feet, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. Detention staff and medical personnel responded immediately and provided first aid, but the injuries were fatal.
Glendale police had arrested Silva Sunday morning after a shooting at an extended-stay motel, said police Chief Victor Ross. Narima Dzhulfayeva, 51, was shot multiple times and killed as she attempted to run from Silva in the motel parking lot.
"We suspect that he did know her," Ross told TheDenverChannel.com, although the two were not married. Ross told the Denver Post Dzhufayeva was a Turkish immigrant, and the couple had an on-going relationship.
Ross said Silva spoke only Spanish and requested a lawyer, so police did not interview him. He was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and felony menacing.
Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson told the Denver Post that Silva underwent a mental health screening when he was booked into the jail early Monday and "there was no indication at all he was suicidal."
The sheriff said Silva had shared a cell with another inmate but the cell doors were opened about 6 a.m. to allow Silva into a "day room" where he was able to mingle with other inmates who are part of the general population.
The inmates were preparing to have breakfast about the time Silva jumped, the sheriff said.
"Because of the way he struck he floor, the injuries were almost immediately fatal," Grayson said.