Authorities probing death of woman, 36

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death last month of a 36-year-old Brighton woman who served as a victim advocate on behalf of prosecutors.

Sgt. Paul Gregory said the investigation into the July 14 death of Kathleen Petrocco remains open, but he would not offer further details.

“Investigators are not ruling out anything,” Gregory said.

The Adams County Coroner’s Office has not yet ruled on the cause and manner of Petrocco’s death, officials said.

Petrocco served as a victim advocate at the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office — which covers Adams and Broomfield counties — at the time of her death, according to her obituary.

She previously worked at Petrocco Farms, the familyrun business that supplies produce across Colorado’s Front Range. The farm business is owned by David Petrocco Sr.

Kathleen and David Petrocco Jr., the owner’s son and the farm’s vice president, were going through divorce proceedings at the time of her death, court records show.

Petrocco leaves behind two children, according to her obituary.

“Katie was an absolute force of nature,” her sister, Moira Sharkey, told The Denver Post. “She was eloquent and charismatic — someone who lit up every room she walked into.”

Petrocco lived to entertain, “and she was amazing at it,” Sharkey said.

“We always joked that she had the bounce-house guys on speed dial,” her sister said. “Katie threw the best parties.”

Petrocco also worked diligently on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado, Sharkey said, a tribute to their brother, who died of the seizure disorder in 2017. It was this selflessness that drew Petrocco to victim advocacy, she said.

“She was a voice for the voiceless,” Sharkey said. “She advocated for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.”