The Dylan Redwine case is one of Colorado's most widely discussed true crime stories: a 13-year-old boy who disappeared in November 2012 during a court-ordered Thanksgiving visit to his father near Vallecito, Colorado, and whose remains were found in the years that followed. In 2021, his father, Mark Redwine, was convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death, and sentenced to 48 years in prison.
What Happened to Dylan Redwine?
Dylan Redwine lived primarily with his mother, but in November 2012 a court-ordered visit placed him at his father Mark Redwine's home near Vallecito, in La Plata County, in the mountains near Durango, Colorado. It was a Thanksgiving visit Dylan made as part of a custody arrangement.
On November 19, 2012, Dylan was reported missing. He had last been seen at his father's home, and extensive searches of the rugged terrain around Vallecito and Durango followed. For months, the case was treated as a disappearance, with searchers, volunteers, and law enforcement combing the area while Dylan's family pleaded for answers.
The case shifted from a missing-person investigation to a murder investigation as remains were discovered near Mark Redwine's home over the following years. Prosecutors ultimately argued that Mark Redwine had killed his son during the visit, and in July 2021 a jury convicted him. He is currently serving a 48-year prison sentence.
Timeline of the Dylan Redwine Case
- November 19, 2012: Dylan Redwine, 13, is reported missing during a court-ordered Thanksgiving visit to his father's home near Vallecito, Colorado.
- 2013: Some of Dylan's remains are found a few miles from Mark Redwine's home.
- 2015: Dylan's skull is found.
- July 2017: A grand jury indicts Mark Redwine on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
- July 2021: A jury finds Mark Redwine guilty on both counts.
- October 2021: Mark Redwine is sentenced to 48 years in prison.
The Investigation and What Is Known
The investigation into Dylan's disappearance and death stretched across nearly a decade. In the immediate aftermath of his disappearance in 2012, authorities and volunteers conducted large-scale searches of the Vallecito and Durango area. The discovery of partial remains in 2013, a few miles from his father's home, confirmed that Dylan was deceased and transformed the direction of the case.
The 2015 discovery of Dylan's skull provided additional evidence that prosecutors would later use at trial. In July 2017, a grand jury handed down an indictment against Mark Redwine, formally charging him with second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. The case then moved slowly through the court system before reaching trial in 2021.
At trial, prosecutors presented their theory of what had happened inside the home during that Thanksgiving visit. In July 2021, the jury convicted Mark Redwine on both counts, and in October 2021 he was sentenced to 48 years in prison. Today, the case is officially resolved in the courts, with Mark Redwine incarcerated, though public discussion about the evidence and circumstances of Dylan's death has continued.
Theories in the Case
As with any high-profile case, two competing narratives emerged at trial. It's worth remembering that these are theories, not settled explanations of every detail.
Prosecution Theory
Prosecutors argued that Mark Redwine killed Dylan in a rage after the boy confronted him about disturbing, explicit photos. According to this theory, the confrontation turned violent, and Mark Redwine then hid his son's body, which was later found scattered in the wilderness a few miles from the home.
Defense Theory
The defense challenged the prosecution's interpretation of the evidence and offered alternative explanations for some of the injuries and evidence presented in court. The defense did not accept the prosecution's account of what had happened to Dylan. Ultimately, however, the jury sided with the prosecution and convicted Mark Redwine on all counts.
Why the Dylan Redwine Case Still Fascinates
The Dylan Redwine case continues to draw attention for several reasons. First, there is the heartbreaking simplicity of the setup: a young boy sent by court order to spend a holiday with a parent, who then never came home. Second, the case took nearly a decade to resolve, with remains discovered in stages over three years and a grand jury indictment that came five years after the disappearance. That slow, layered progression kept the case in the public eye.
Finally, the case raises difficult questions about family conflict, custody arrangements, and what happens when a child's safety is entrusted to a court-ordered visit. Dylan's mother and brother became persistent public advocates for him over the years, and the eventual conviction of his father brought a form of closure, while leaving lingering public debate over the details of the evidence.
For listeners who want the full story told in depth, the OBOMEDIA podcast Crime Obsession covers this case in the episode "Father Kills His 13-Year-Old Son and Hides the Body", available at obomedia.com/en/podcast/crime-obsession.
FAQ About the Dylan Redwine Case
Who killed Dylan Redwine?
A jury convicted Dylan's father, Mark Redwine, of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in July 2021. He was sentenced to 48 years in prison that October. The criminal case is officially resolved, though public discussion about certain evidence and circumstances continues.
When did Dylan Redwine disappear?
Dylan Redwine was reported missing on November 19, 2012, during a court-ordered Thanksgiving visit to his father's home near Vallecito, Colorado, in La Plata County near Durango.
Where were Dylan Redwine's remains found?
Some of Dylan's remains were found in 2013 a few miles from Mark Redwine's home in the Vallecito/Durango area. In 2015, his skull was found, providing additional evidence used at his father's trial.
What was Mark Redwine's sentence?
Mark Redwine was sentenced in October 2021 to 48 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the killing of his son Dylan.