Adams County Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Murder for Fatally Stabbing Female Victim in Federal Heights

Brighton, CO – District Attorney Brian Mason announced today that Adrian Carracedo-Vega, 37, has been convicted of First-Degree Murder following a six-day trial in Adams County District Court. 

On December 30, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Federal Heights Police responded to the Tuscan Heights Apartments near 1700 West 85th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered 20-year-old Sachely Diaz near the apartment’s dumpsters, suffering from multiple stab wounds. A witness reported that Diaz was crawling on the ground, covered in blood, and repeatedly stating, “I’m dying, I’m dying.” 

Despite the efforts of police and first responders, Diaz was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. An autopsy later confirmed that she had suffered two stab wounds to her chest and rib cage, along with ligature marks around her neck. 

Earlier that day, a friend had reported Diaz missing after she failed to return from an appointment at a local nail salon. During the investigation, authorities learned that Carracedo-Vega, who had been involved in a long-term relationship with Diaz, left bloody clothing in his home, which his wife reported to Thornton Police. Evidence indicated tensions in the relationship, including Diaz having blocked Carracedo-Vega in the days prior to her death. 

Cell phone records placed Carracedo-Vega at the nail salon around the time Diaz was scheduled to be there. Investigators determined that he took Diaz from that location and subsequently killed her. Police later recovered a vehicle associated with Carracedo-Vega, inside of which was a 27-inch machete with blood confirmed to be Diaz’s. Following the murder, Carracedo-Vega fled to Mexico and was later apprehended and extradited back to Colorado. 

On November 24, 2025, an Adams County jury convicted Carracedo-Vega of First-Degree Murder after six days of trial. Adams County District Court Judge Sean Finn imposed a life sentence without the possibility of parole — the punishment required under Colorado law for a First-Degree Murder conviction. 

"This was a brutal killing and the defendant has now been held accountable," said District Attorney Brian Mason. "Sachely Diaz was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her tragic murder is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence in this community. Today, her family hopefully gets some measure of peace, though the pain of their loss will never go away. I am grateful to our team at the District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their work in securing justice in this case." 

Chief Deputy District Attorneys Kristen Baker and Meghan Saleebey led the prosecution of this case.