Killing strikes fear/Hotel worker's death worries others

The killing of a Colorado Springs hotel clerk whose body was found early Wednesday has struck fear among workers in the industry who say they have received no information from police about the safety of the area.

Monique Ann LaSuer, 26, died sometime after midnight in the main building of the Palmer House Best Western at 3010 N. Chestnut St., Colorado Springs police said.

LaSuer, the hotel's night bookkeeper, worked the 11 p.m.-to-7 a.m. shift. Police say she was killed by an unknown assailant and was found by maintenance workers who were reporting for work. Police officials wouldn't say how LaSuer died.

"We're investigating it as a homicide," said Lt. Skip Arms, police spokesman. But he declined to say where the body was found, whether money was stolen or if police had any suspects or motives. He also wouldn't say whether the hotel had security cameras.

Detectives who remained at the scene well into Wednesday evening and a shift commander referred all questions to Arms. Arms and homicide detective Sgt. Rod Walker did not respond to repeated pages Wednesday night.

Several other motels surround the Palmer House Best Western near Interstate 25 and Fillmore Street, including the motel where California fugitive Jesse James Hollywood stayed last week.

Despite a 24-hour surveillance system and bulletproof windows, employees at a nearby Motel 6 said they were fearful after hearing of LaSuer's death.

"We usually lock the doors at 10 p.m.," said General Manager Jody Henrie. "We may lock up earlier today."

Henrie, who lives on-site, said she had not been contacted by police investigators Wednesday.

"I've been in the business a long time, and police will usually come by when stuff like this happens," Henrie said. "Nobody has come by to let us know what's going on."

A Motel 6 night clerk who did not give her name said she and other employees learned of the killing on the news.

"I was scared to come in, especially with Hollywood in the area just last week," she said.

Wednesday morning, police cordoned the main portion of the Palmer House with yellow tape. Throughout the morning, they questioned hotel employees and guests. Sgt. Michael Spitzmiller, police spokesman, said the scene was too chaotic to tell exactly what had happened.

He said more information would be released after today's autopsy by the El Paso County Coroner's Office. The coroner will attempt to determine how LaSuer died.

"The mood of the Best Western Palmer House and employees is one of sadness and loss of a very well-liked associate," said Byron Vanderford, the hotel's general manager. "It is too early to know the exact circumstances ... at this time."

"We're cooperating with the ongoing investigation while maintaining all of our facilities and services for our present and future guests," he said.

LaSuer, who rented a duplex near Fort Carson, had worked at the Palmer House for about three months. She was a hard worker, neighbors said.

"She seemed nice," said neighbor Betty Lewis. "She was always going to work. It's a terrible thing. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that to her."

An aunt and uncle of LaSuer's who live in Black Forest declined to comment on their niece's death.

Ten other deaths have been ruled homicides in Colorado Springs so far this year. There were 17 homicides by this date last year, and there were 26 for the year.

- Jeremy Meyer covers general assignments and may be reached at 476-1623 or jmeyer@gazette.com Danielle Nieves covers general assignments and may be reached at 636-0394 or dnieves@gazette.com Edited by Sue McMillin; Headline by Gary Houy

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