Victorine Galvan Grice was suspect in shooting death of Colin Grice

Relatives of a man who allegedly was shot dead by his wife inside their Highlands Ranch home gathered in Lone Tree on Saturday to celebrate his life and dedicate a memorial garden and pond.

On July 18, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies found Colin Grice, 57, inside his Timber Hawk Circle home. Victorine Galvan Grice, 55, his wife, who was charged with second-degree murder and domestic violence in his death, was found dead Friday in a Douglas County jail cell.

Colin Grice was remembered Saturday as a kind, gentle and loving man, by family members who traveled across the country to memorialize him.

Aden Beavers of Virginia Beach, Va., Colin Grice’s younger sister by 12 years, said he took her to her first rock concert, by the band Extreme, and her first college football game, Florida vs. Florida State. She said he introduced her tennis, a sport she still loves and plays.

“He always was just a great big brother,” Beavers recalled. “He always wanted to be with me; I just wanted to be around him.”

When Colin’s friends would tease Beavers as a young girl, her big brother would put an immediate stop to it, she said.

“He was just so kind, not a mean bone in his body,” Beavers said.

Colin Grice had a long career in the hotel industry, most recently as marketing director for Sonesta ES Suites Denver South-Park Meadows.

Colleagues at the hotel told Beavers that Grice was once summoned to a room to take care of big, unwanted spider on the premises. Grice scooped the spider into a cup, took the insect outside and released it. Family members who gathered Saturday chuckled hearing the story.

The hotel, as part of the celebration of life, dedicated a pond and garden just outside the main entrance to the memory of Grice.

The morning of the shooting, Victorine Grice called 911 and told a dispatcher she had shot her husband.

“My husband attacked me. Please help me. I think he’s dead,” Victorine Grice said during the 911 call, according to her arrest warrant.

Colin Grice was shot in the chest with a Ruger revolver. Victorine Grice was taken to a sheriff’s office substation to be interviewed. She immediately asked to speak with an attorney, according to an affidavit.

Neither Colin nor Victorine had a criminal record. The sheriff’s office had never responded to a call for service to their home in the past.

An investigation into Victorine’s jail cell death, to include the cause, is ongoing. Douglas County authorities were investigating Colin’s death as second-degree murder and a  domestic violence case against Victorine.

“My brother was a victim,” Beavers said. “Domestic violence comes in many shapes and forms.”

Beavers described Colin as a long-time victim of domestic abuse who suffered in silence.

“That ultimately cost him his life,” she said. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Family members of Colin said they will use their voices to be his advocate. They collectively dismissed Victorine’s allegation against him.

“We will give him his voice and the dignity and respect that he deserves,” said Sandra Hughes his mother.

Woody Grice, Colin’s father, got a call from Douglas County to his Florida home informing him of his son’s death.

“It just blew my mind,” he said. “I just couldn’t believe it. It is just shocking, the whole thing.”

Douglas County provided crime victim assistance and support to the Grice family. A victim’s advocate gave Beavers a hug of support in front of the hotel during an emotional moment. The sheriff’s office investigation was focusing on Victorine as the suspect in the domestic violence case.

“Throughout my years as an investigator, I’ve learned that domestic violence knows no gender boundaries. It’s a haunting reality that men, too, bear the scars of abuse and often endure the torment in silence,” said Capt. Joel White, in a written statement. “I hope all domestic violence victims, regardless of gender, can find the strength and courage to come forward and get help before it is too late.”