LAKEWOOD, Colorado – Friends say a woman found strangled at her home in Green Mountain on Tuesday was a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital and the mother of an 8-year-old boy.
“I am devastated, completely devastated,” said Traci Buntenbah.
Buntenbah said Hilary Engel was a great friend and “the most generous person” she has ever met.
“She did toy rides for children. She adopted families at Christmas time. She is the type of person who is always looking for ways to help people and help strangers,” said Buntenbah.
The two mothers met four years ago at Rooney Ranch Elementary School, in the Green Mountain neighborhood, where their children study.
“We had no choice but to be friends,” she said, “because the boys always wanted to play together.”
Buntenbah said that Engel was very receptive.
“My kids are hyperactive,” she said. “I get a little nervous about it. She always told me she would never judge me, no matter what.”
Police said they were called to a home in S. Coors Circle in a missing person report on December 29.
When friends arrived, they reported finding a deceased adult woman inside the house.
Police said it looks like Engel died strangled.
Engel’s boyfriend Karl Aaron Bemish, 51, was arrested the next day at a hotel in Trinidad.
He is being held under suspicion of committing first-degree murder.
“It really bothers me,” said Buntenbah. “I knew him … he was close to my son. He had (been) at my home. It’s devastating.”
She told Denver7 that she thought Bemish “a little obscure, but not bad”.
Now, his thoughts are focused on Engel’s 8-year-old son.
“I know that he’s fine. I don’t have to see him yet, but I know that he’s fine. He’s with his family,” she said.
Buntenbah said he wants others to know that Engel was not just a victim.
“She was an incredible mother and a nurse,” she said. “She saved people’s lives and she didn’t deserve it at all.”
Buntenbah told Denver7 that he received a text message from Engel on Monday.
“She was just registering,” said Buntenbah. “She said she wanted to leave. I just happened to tell her that I loved her. I’m grateful that I did that.”
Denver7 reached out to Centura-St. Anthony to comment.
The hospital issued this statement:
“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of Hilary Engel, who worked at Centura-St. Anthony Hospital as a nurse. Our feelings go out to her family and friends, and all the caregivers who are suffering from this painful loss.