Family mourns 5-year-old son killed in Centennial as brother faces charges

The victim's 11-year-old brother is accused of first-degree murder in the death of his 5-year-old sibling.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:51am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's toy or personal item, such as a stuffed animal or a small piece of clothing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic.The tragic death of a young child leaves a family and community grappling with unimaginable loss.Centennial Today

A 5-year-old boy named Elias Reliford was found dead in his Centennial, Colorado home on March 10, and his 11-year-old brother has been charged with first-degree murder. The family is devastated, describing Elias as an outgoing, energetic child who loved being outside and playing with his older brother. They are now navigating both grief and displacement, as they have had to move out of the home where the incident occurred.

Why it matters

This tragic case has shaken the Centennial community and raised difficult questions about what could have led an 11-year-old to allegedly commit such a horrific act against his younger sibling. It also highlights the immense challenges the family now faces as they grieve the loss of Elias and support the older brother who is accused of the crime.

The details

According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the Reliford family's home on South Jericho Way on March 10, where they found 5-year-old Elias dead. Investigators later identified the 11-year-old brother as the suspect, and he now faces first-degree murder charges. The family says the day had appeared ordinary, with the older brother asked to do chores while Elias took a nap, and that's when the incident occurred. The family has declined to discuss specific details, saying they are still trying to process what happened.

  • On March 10, deputies were called to the Reliford family's home, where Elias was found dead.
  • The 11-year-old brother is scheduled to appear in court next week.

The players

Elias Reliford

The 5-year-old victim who was described by his family as an outgoing, energetic child who loved being outside and playing with his older brother.

11-year-old brother

The older brother of Elias Reliford who has been charged with first-degree murder in his younger sibling's death.

Dawn Myles

The great-aunt of Elias Reliford who spoke on behalf of his parents, who were too devastated to speak on camera.

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What they’re saying

“There's two losses here... two brothers”

— Dawn Myles, Great-aunt of Elias Reliford

“He was very outgoing. Just loved being outside. Outside was his thing”

— Dawn Myles, Great-aunt of Elias Reliford

“If you saw one brother, you saw the other one”

— Dawn Myles, Great-aunt of Elias Reliford

What’s next

The 11-year-old brother is scheduled to appear in court next week, where more details about the case may emerge.

The takeaway

This tragic case has devastated the Reliford family and the Centennial community, raising difficult questions about what could have led an 11-year-old to allegedly commit such a horrific act against his younger sibling. As the family navigates their grief and displacement, the community will be watching closely as the case moves through the courts.