The adopted son who shot and killed his father two years ago in Mirror Lake Recreation Area, Wyoming, was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Friday, according to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
On July 4, 2024, someone discovered a body wrapped in a tarp near Mirror Lake, off Highway 130. The area was closed to visitors for the weekend while law enforcement investigated.
Authorities quickly identified the deceased as James Bitner, 56, of Colorado, and reported that he had a bullet hole in the back of his head.
The Albany County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On July 28, 2024, nearly a year later, James Bitner’s adopted son Jaymz Jordan Bitner, then 19, was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and solicitation to commit tampering with a human body, according to the Gilpin County District Attorney’s Office.
Jaymz Bitner ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to an Albany County Sheriff’s Office statement released on Monday.
He received a 24-year prison sentence on Friday, according to the statement.
Eviction
According to witness testimony, the killing occurred following an argument in which Jim Bitner threatened to evict Jaymz from the house, prompting Jaymz to pull out a gun and fatally shoot his father. However, Jaymz’s defense claimed that the killing was the result of years of emotional abuse by his father, according to the sheriff’s office.
According to the statement, Jaymz Bitner told a family friend that he had shot his father and needed help disposing of the body. The friend declined to assist, instead reporting the conversation to the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office stated that this prompted a welfare check at the home.
Deputies conducted the investigation but found no evidence of suspicious activity at the time.
Cellphone location data showed Jaymz traveling from Gilpin County to Mirror Lake on November 16 and 17, 2023, where investigators believe he disposed of the body.
According to the statement, Jaymz was approached by two witnesses at the entrance to Mirror Lake on November 17 morning. He explained that he and a friend were there to watch the sunrise.
While the witnesses were unaware of the crime, they later reported that the interaction seemed unusual. After a press release was issued in this case, they came forward and identified Jaymz as the man they had seen at Mirror Lake using a photo lineup, according to the post.
According to additional cellphone records, Jaymz left Mirror Lake, traveled through Saratoga, and then eastbound on Interstate-80 toward Cheyenne.
“During this time, he texted a friend in Colorado asking for help with gas money, offering to pay with silver coins,” according to the complaint. “When the friend agreed and purchased fuel for him, Jaymz admitted that he had disposed of his father’s body after killing him.”
“The Albany County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the tireless efforts of Detectives McKinney and Curtis, as well as our partnering agencies, whose determination resulted in a resolution in this case. “We extend our condolences to the Bitner family and all those affected by this,” the statement reads.
“We’d also like to thank the community for its support throughout this lengthy investigation. While justice has been served, this case emphasizes the value of collaboration, perseverance, and vigilance in bringing victims and their families closure.”
