Manitou woman killed by carbon monoxide

A 22-year-old Manitou Springs woman died last week of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a news release Tuesday from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

Kelly Murphy, who lived at 114 Capital Hill Ave., was found dead Dec. 17. The El Paso County Coroner determined she died of carbon monoxide poisoning after performing an autopsy Thursday.

Murphy's husband, Joel Murphy, called 911 and was directed to Manitou Springs Police Department, according to the Sheriff's Office. He reported his wife was dead in the couple's bedroom. When officers arrived, Murphy and his 18-month-old son were inside the house, according to the release.

Joel Murphy appeared to be disoriented and both were taken to a hospital, where they were found to have high levels of carbon monoxide in their system.

Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Jaworski said Tuesday it's too early to determine if the furnace caused the toxic levels of carbon monoxide in the Victorian-style house, which was rented out as apartments. The Sheriff's Office took over the investigation as part of an agreement with Manitou police, he said.

There were no other renters at the time, Jaworski said. The house was not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.
Joel Murphy and the boy have been released from the hospital and are "doing fine," Jaworski said.

A Colorado legislator earlier this month announced plans to introduce a bill that would require certain homes to have carbon monoxide detectors. The Lofgren Family Memorial Act was named after the Lofgren family of Denver that died last month after staying at an Aspen house as part of a fundraising auction. Killed were Parker Lofgren, his wife Caroline and their two children.