Lucas to stand trial

Just days away from the eight-year anniversary of Kelsie Schelling’s disappearance, Donthe Lucas, 28, was set to stand trial beginning Monday, Jan. 25, in Pueblo.

Detectives with the Pueblo Police Department arrested Lucas on Dec. 1, 2017, in connection with the Feb. 4, 2013, disappearance of Schelling. An arrest warrant charging Lucas with first-degree murder was served to him while he was already in custody at the Pueblo County jail on an unrelated aggravated robbery charge.

Lucas pleaded not guilty to Schelling’s murder in August 2018. His trial date was scheduled multiple times and then postponed.

At the time of her disappearance, Schelling, then 21 years old, was eight weeks pregnant with Lucas’ child. She reportedly drove to Pueblo from her home in Denver to meet with Lucas, her boyfriend at the time.

She has not been seen or heard from since. Despite many searches, her body has not been found.

Schelling grew up in Holyoke and graduated from Haxtun High School. She is the daughter of Doug Schelling of Holyoke and Laura Saxton of Yuma.

Her brother, Colby Schelling, wrote this on the Help Find Kelsie Facebook page Monday: “Today is the start of the trial. It’s hard to believe that after almost 8 years this day has finally come. So many emotions are flooding through us right now: sorrow, fear, shock — but also hope. Mom and Dad have been warriors for you, Kels. They have been fighting for you since Day 1.

“And you wouldn’t imagine the amount of people that have supported us through the hardest days of our lives. Together, as a family and community, we’re still here for you. We haven’t forgotten about you — not even for a moment. We love you so much, sis.”