William Fowler, the founder of Fowler Software Design in Federal Heights, was convicted of murdering business partner Thomas Ciancio in 2009. |
BRIGHTON - A man once thought to be a victim of a workplace shooting is now officially a murder suspect.
The Adams County district attorney's office announced the arrest of Rex Fowler, of Broomfield, for allegedly killing a partner in his company, Thomas Ciancio, of Castle Rock.
The DA's office also made available an arrest warrant affidavit containing details of the killing, and for the first time, a motive.
On Dec. 30, Ciancio had walked inside Fowler software design to collect a final paycheck. He had negotiated a buyout to leave the company.
But it now appears Fowler had no intention for Ciancio or himself to ever walk out.
The affidavit shows Fowler may have planned Ciancio's murder.
Police say Fowler left behind notes for his wife, Jan, dated "30 December 2009" one said, "there is nothing confidential in this briefcase. Please give the briefcase to Jan." "Rex." Another note contained keys and a diagram, explaining to "Jan" what each key was for.
The affidavit also shows testimony from current and former employees of the company.
Employee Robert Read told police "Thomas Ciancio started to become very frustrated with Fowler, saying he was embezzling money and a crook."
A former employee Stephan Samuel said, "he and Ciancio were able to see several large withdraws (sp) by Fowler totaling in the area of 200,000.00 to 250,000.00 dollars."
Samuel says "Thomas Ciancio did not like William Fowler taking the company's money and causing a financial hardship on the company."
Employees say that money went to a church. read said he knew this information "because William Fowler had to apologize to everyone in writing for what he did."
When we spoke to Ciancio's family Jan. 1, 2010, they had no idea of the turmoil between Ciancio and Fowler.
But the affidavit show Fowler's wife apparently did.
Jan Fowler told police Ciancio had sent a threatening email to Fowler, saying he was going to hire an attorney to get money owed him.
She told police "Fowler is a Scientologist" and that he "would not have gone without a fight." She said Fowler "probably would have grabbed the gun during the struggle and that William Fowler would have not just let somebody shoot him."
Fowler's wife also demanded a briefcase removed from her husband's office saying, "it's important to me, my church, and it is religious material and I want it now!"
Police suspect the handgun Fowler used was a gift from his son, Alexander, who had registered it at an address on L. Ron Hubbard way in Los Angeles. Hubbard is the founder of Scientology.
It took 23 days from the day of the shooting on December 30 to Friday January 22 to make an arrest.
It was a complicated case in which sheriff's deputies initially thought Thomas Ciancio was the shooter, who then turned the gun on himself.
But an autopsy later showed he was murdered, with 3 bullets to his head.
Police now say it was Fowler who pulled the trigger - not the other way around.
Fowler is in custody. But the DA's office is not releasing his location.
.
The Adams County district attorney's office announced the arrest of Rex Fowler, of Broomfield, for allegedly killing a partner in his company, Thomas Ciancio, of Castle Rock.
The DA's office also made available an arrest warrant affidavit containing details of the killing, and for the first time, a motive.
On Dec. 30, Ciancio had walked inside Fowler software design to collect a final paycheck. He had negotiated a buyout to leave the company.
But it now appears Fowler had no intention for Ciancio or himself to ever walk out.
The affidavit shows Fowler may have planned Ciancio's murder.
Police say Fowler left behind notes for his wife, Jan, dated "30 December 2009" one said, "there is nothing confidential in this briefcase. Please give the briefcase to Jan." "Rex." Another note contained keys and a diagram, explaining to "Jan" what each key was for.
The affidavit also shows testimony from current and former employees of the company.
Employee Robert Read told police "Thomas Ciancio started to become very frustrated with Fowler, saying he was embezzling money and a crook."
A former employee Stephan Samuel said, "he and Ciancio were able to see several large withdraws (sp) by Fowler totaling in the area of 200,000.00 to 250,000.00 dollars."
Samuel says "Thomas Ciancio did not like William Fowler taking the company's money and causing a financial hardship on the company."
Employees say that money went to a church. read said he knew this information "because William Fowler had to apologize to everyone in writing for what he did."
When we spoke to Ciancio's family Jan. 1, 2010, they had no idea of the turmoil between Ciancio and Fowler.
But the affidavit show Fowler's wife apparently did.
Jan Fowler told police Ciancio had sent a threatening email to Fowler, saying he was going to hire an attorney to get money owed him.
She told police "Fowler is a Scientologist" and that he "would not have gone without a fight." She said Fowler "probably would have grabbed the gun during the struggle and that William Fowler would have not just let somebody shoot him."
Fowler's wife also demanded a briefcase removed from her husband's office saying, "it's important to me, my church, and it is religious material and I want it now!"
Police suspect the handgun Fowler used was a gift from his son, Alexander, who had registered it at an address on L. Ron Hubbard way in Los Angeles. Hubbard is the founder of Scientology.
It took 23 days from the day of the shooting on December 30 to Friday January 22 to make an arrest.
It was a complicated case in which sheriff's deputies initially thought Thomas Ciancio was the shooter, who then turned the gun on himself.
But an autopsy later showed he was murdered, with 3 bullets to his head.
Police now say it was Fowler who pulled the trigger - not the other way around.
Fowler is in custody. But the DA's office is not releasing his location.
.
