Real Estate Agent Allegedly Disguised Himself Before Kidnapping Married Couple On Hiking Trail

A real estate agent accused of harassing a former lover has now been charged with kidnapping the woman and her husband while on a hiking trail.

Kerry Endsley, 73, was arrested on Friday after officials say he held the unnamed couple at gunpoint as they hiked in southern Jefferson County, according to the sheriff’s office. The husband and wife were uninjured after a hiker called 911 shortly after 8:00 a.m. and reported the active kidnapping, keeping dispatchers apprised throughout the ordeal until deputies arrived minutes later.

Fox Denver affiliate KDVR reported the incident took place at the Fehringer Ranch Disc Golf Park, just southwest of Denver.

Shortly after deputies responded to the scene, they mistakenly took the victims into custody instead of the suspect, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jackie Kelley told NBC Denver affiliate KUSA.

The victims later told deputies that they were walking past a man who appeared to be tying his shoe while on the trails near S. Oak Way. The man, whom the victims did not immediately recognize, brandished a handgun before ordering the female to the ground and securing a nylon leash around her neck.

The suspect, later identified as Kerry Endsley, told the couple, “Don’t f*****g move,” according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KDVR.

As Endsley allegedly led the victims away, the husband took the suspect’s firearm before he and the woman fled, according to the sheriff’s office. Law enforcement officials soon approached them.

Deputies located Endsley a short time later, but he allegedly put up resistance.

“The suspect failed to comply with commands from the deputies and pulled a weapon, later determined to be a stun gun, from his waistband and point[ed] it at the deputies,” according to the sheriff’s office. “One of the deputies fired a shot from his firearm, missing the suspect. A second deputy deployed his taser at the suspect - hitting him.”

Endsley was taken into custody and treated at a local hospital after complaining of injuries related to the taser.

Following Endsley’s arrest, authorities found his vehicle, which was equipped with a mattress, pillows, and blankets, according to KDVR. Plastic flex cuffs, handcuffs, and binoculars were also found on the scene.

The victims told investigators they didn’t recognize Endsley “because he had altered his physical appearance and disguised himself,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Per the affidavit, Endsley wore “a baseball cap and what was later determined to be a costume style fake beard.” The couple eventually recognized Endsley during the course of the kidnapping.

Detectives learned Endsley had a history of harassing the female victim, who, according to KDVR, had previously been in a romantic relationship with Endsley. The sheriff’s office stated, “there are police reports and a restraining order to reflect that."

Court records examined by KDVR stated the female victim said she’d known Endsley for the past four years through their work. Endsley is listed as a real estate agent and “one of the top producing brokers of premier residential, land, and ranch properties in Colorado,” according to realtor.com.

The female victim reported that she and Endsley had a brief relationship in 2020 during a time when she was separated from her husband, according to KDVR. She lived in a suite at Endsley’s home until the pair ended the relationship in August 2021.

That same month, Endsley’s stepdaughter allegedly faced criminal charges after breaking the female victim’s phone. She was granted a restraining order against Endsley soon after.

At the time of the kidnapping, Endsley was reportedly on probation following a September 2021 incident where he pleaded guilty to harassment, according to KUSA. It was unclear if the case was related to the restraining order obtained by the woman he allegedly kidnapped on Friday.

Endsley was arrested on a multitude of charges, including two counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of menacing with a deadly weapon displayed, second-degree assault, disarming a peace officer, and violating a protection order, jail records show.

He is expected to appear in court on June 24.