Guilty Verdict Closes 30-Year-Old Denver Murder Case

Ricky Dawson convicted of first-degree murder for 1996 killing of Terri Turachak

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jurors have convicted Ricky Dawson of first-degree murder for the 1996 death of Terri Turachak in Denver. Dawson, who was 35 at the time of the crime, was extradited from Florida in 2023 after a DNA match was found. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole at his sentencing next month.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of persistent cold case investigations and advancements in forensic science, which can help bring closure to victims' families decades after a tragic crime. The conviction also demonstrates the Denver District Attorney's Office's commitment to pursuing justice no matter how much time has passed.

The details

On October 5, 1996, Ricky Dawson sexually assaulted and murdered Terri Turachak, who was also 35 years old at the time, in her east Denver apartment. An autopsy determined that Turachak died by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. In 2023, Dawson was extradited from Florida to Colorado after a DNA match was found, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder this week.

  • On October 5, 1996, Dawson committed the murder.
  • In 2023, Dawson was extradited from Florida to Colorado after a DNA match was found.
  • On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Dawson was convicted of first-degree murder.
  • Dawson's sentencing is scheduled for April 29, 2026.

The players

Ricky Dawson

A 35-year-old man who was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of Terri Turachak.

Terri Turachak

A 35-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted and murdered by Ricky Dawson in 1996.

John Walsh

The Denver District Attorney, who said the verdict brings "a powerful measure of justice" in the case.

Dawn Weber

The Chief Deputy District Attorney who led the prosecution team.

Julie Hill

The Chief Deputy District Attorney who led the prosecution team.

McKenna Burke

The Associate Deputy District Attorney who led the prosecution team.

John McGrail

A Detective with the Denver Police Department's Homicide Unit who worked on the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Today's verdict can't bring back Terri Turachak, but it brings a powerful measure of justice in this case — that Ricky Dawson will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

— John Walsh, Denver District Attorney (Denver Gazette)

“Dawson committed this brutal and terrible crime nearly 30 years ago — but the Denver DA's Office and the Denver Police Department did not rest until the case was solved and Dawson prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

— John Walsh, Denver District Attorney (Denver Gazette)

What’s next

Ricky Dawson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29, 2026, where he will receive a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of persistent cold case investigations and the power of advancements in forensic science to bring closure to victims' families, even decades after a tragic crime. It also highlights the Denver District Attorney's Office's commitment to pursuing justice no matter how much time has passed.