Denver man pleads guilty to killing 16-year-old girl and dragging her body behind dumpster

DENVER (TCN) -- A man recently pleaded guilty to killing a 16-year-old girl when he was 17 and leaving her body behind a dumpster.

The Denver District Attorney’s Office announced June 24 that Deontre Hollie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault after fatally shooting Tayanna Manuel and injuring another individual. Hollie faces up to 80 years in prison and is expected to be sentenced in September.

According to an arrest affidavit, on Dec. 23, 2022, at approximately 6:42 p.m., Denver dispatch received a call regarding a gunshot victim lying in a parking lot. The individual, whose name has been redacted, was transported to Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

Police interviewed the victim, who was unable to speak due to his injuries, but he could communicate via writing. He allegedly said he was with Hollie and another person prior to the shooting. The victim survived his injuries.

On Dec. 24, 2022, in a separate incident, the Denver Police Missing and Exploited Personal Unit received a report of a missing juvenile, Manuel. Her phone had reportedly been shut off since the shooting the previous day.

Two days later, at around 6:17 a.m., Denver Police responded to a report of a deceased female behind a dumpster, where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators later identified her as Manuel.

Hollie, Manuel, and other people reportedly went to a field on Dec. 23, 2022, to shoot handguns. During interviews, witnesses reportedly told officials Hollie and Manuel left together but only Hollie returned, and Manuel’s phone was shut off shortly after.

In the affidavit, authorities said they recovered surveillance video of a suspect vehicle driving to North Kittredge Street, where investigators believe Hollie shot Manuel and the other victim. Hollie then allegedly drove Manuel’s body to Sedalia Street and dragged her body behind the dumpster where she was later found.

Hollie reportedly went back to his home and parked the vehicle a short walk away. According to the affidavit, investigators believe Hollie discarded and cleaned Manual’s blood from his clothing and skin.

Authorities found blood evidence in the suspect vehicle near the front passenger seat, as well as 9 mm cartridge casings and a bullet defect consistent with at least one victim being shot inside the car.

The Denver District Attorney’s Office initially charged Hollie as an adult with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with physical evidence.