Coors Heir's 1960 Kidnapping and Murder Still Haunts Colorado

The disappearance of Adolph Coors III sparked a national manhunt and investigation that gripped the country.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Sixty-six years ago this week, the disappearance of brewery executive Adolph Coors III stunned the Front Range and made national headlines. On February 9, 1960, the 44-year-old heir to the Coors fortune left his foothills home, headed to work, but never arrived. Hours later, his carryall truck was discovered on a bridge, with blood found inside. Authorities quickly believed it was a kidnapping, and a ransom demand soon followed, drawing intense national attention. Months later, Coors' remains were found, and Joseph Corbett Jr. was convicted in connection with the murder, though he maintained his innocence.

Why it matters

The killing of Adolph Coors III marked one of the most infamous criminal cases in Colorado history, sparking a national manhunt and investigation that gripped the country. While the crime shocked the state, it also highlighted the vulnerability of prominent families to high-profile kidnappings at the time, and the enduring legacy of the Coors family's impact on Colorado.

The details

Hours after Coors disappeared, his carryall truck was discovered on a bridge over Turkey Creek, with the engine still running and blood found on the front seat. Coors' cap and eyeglasses were recovered below the bridge, leading authorities to believe it was a kidnapping. Soon after, a typewritten ransom note demanding $500,000 was delivered, becoming the centerpiece of the investigation. Months later, Coors' remains were found in a wooded area near Sedalia, shifting the case from kidnapping to murder. Joseph Corbett Jr. was later convicted in connection with the crime, though he maintained his innocence.

  • On February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III left his foothills home, headed to work, but never arrived.
  • Hours later, Coors' carryall truck was discovered on a bridge over Turkey Creek.
  • In September 1960, Coors' remains were found in a wooded area near Sedalia.
  • Joseph Corbett Jr. was released from prison in 1980 and died by suicide in 2009.

The players

Adolph Coors III

A 44-year-old brewery executive and heir to the Coors fortune, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1960.

Joseph Corbett Jr.

The man convicted in connection with the murder of Adolph Coors III, though he maintained his innocence.

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What they’re saying

“This generated headlines all across the country, because Coors wasn't just famous here in Colorado — the family, the company, the beer, was famous all across the country.”

— Sam Bock, Director of interpretation and publications at History Colorado (KDVR)

“These splashy abductions, especially because of the time pressure and the big names that are almost always involved, generate a ton of public attention.”

— Sam Bock, Director of interpretation and publications at History Colorado (KDVR)

What’s next

The case remains part of Colorado's historical memory, a reminder that while investigative tools and technology have changed dramatically since 1960, the fear and public fascination surrounding high-profile kidnappings have not.

The takeaway

The killing of Adolph Coors III marked one of the most infamous criminal cases in Colorado history, sparking a national manhunt and investigation that gripped the country. The case also highlighted the vulnerability of prominent families to high-profile kidnappings at the time, and the enduring legacy of the Coors family's impact on Colorado.