True Crime Vault: If I Can't Have You

Key Concepts

• Paige Bergfeld, a 34-year-old mother, disappeared in Grand Junction, Colorado in June 2007 after a car fire.
• The investigation revealed Bergfeld led a double life, working as an escort under the alias “Carrie” through “Models Incorporated.”
• Lester Jones, a client from her escort service, became the primary suspect due to circumstantial evidence, forensic findings, and a history of violence.
• Two trials were held; the first ended in a hung jury, and the second resulted in Jones’s conviction for first-degree murder and a life sentence without parole.
• The case highlighted the dangers faced by women in the escort industry and the lasting trauma experienced by Bergfeld’s family.

Initial Disappearance and Investigation (2007-2012)

In the summer of 2007, Paige Bergfeld, a 34-year-old mother of three described as effervescent and devoted to her children, vanished following a 911 call reporting a car fire. The burned vehicle was located less than five miles from her home in an industrial area, and arson was determined to be the cause, indicating an attempt to destroy evidence. Initial theories explored voluntary disappearance, but concerns grew as Bergfeld failed to contact her family. The investigation uncovered financial struggles stemming from her divorce from Rob Dixon, leading her to work multiple jobs – selling baby slings, teaching “brain dance” classes, and Pampered Chef – to support her children.

A pivotal discovery revealed Bergfeld operated an escort service under the name “Carrie” and the business “Models Incorporated,” significantly broadening the investigation. She used a separate cell phone for this activity, advertising services at higher prices than competitors, and expressed fears about potential danger to a friend. Early suspects included her ex-husband, Rob Dixon, and first husband, Ron Beagler, but both were quickly ruled out. Forensic evidence from the burned car included the driver’s seat pushed far back (suggesting a tall driver) and a day planner with pages torn out corresponding to the dates of her disappearance (June 26th-29th). Investigators also found personal items scattered along a highway, suggesting Bergfeld intentionally left a trail.

Focusing on Lester Jones (2007-2014)

The investigation eventually focused on Lester Jones, an RV mechanic who had contacted Bergfeld through her escort service. His height matched the profile suggested by the car’s interior, and inconsistencies in his statements raised suspicion. Jones admitted to contacting Bergfeld but denied involvement in her disappearance. A search of his workspace revealed a box for the track phone used to contact Bergfeld, along with wigs, condoms, Viagra, and a gas can. K9 units detected the scent of both Bergfeld and Jones inside the burned car. Furthermore, Jones had a history of violent behavior towards a former wife, Lisa Nance, including threats and an assault with a firearm.

The Trials and Verdict (2014-2016)

In 2012, Bergfeld’s remains were discovered in a gulch near the highway, leading to Jones’s arrest in 2014 and the commencement of a seven-week trial. The prosecution focused on establishing Jones’s obsession with Bergfeld, his violent tendencies, and the physical evidence linking him to the crime. Lisa Nance testified about escalating aggression during their divorce, recounting an incident where Jones rammed her car and fired a gunshot, grazing her partner and hitting her in the head. She also detailed Jones’s threats to kill her and dispose of her body in a lake, a chilling parallel to Bergfeld’s fate. Emotional testimony was also provided by Bergfeld’s daughter and father, Frank Bergfeld.

The defense attempted to shift blame, suggesting investigators overlooked other potential clients and prematurely focused on Jones. They presented Wayne Demo and Steven Heield as alternative suspects, but their claims were largely unsubstantiated. A pivotal piece of evidence was a recorded phone call between police and Jones, where he spontaneously asked, “You ask me where I should bury his body?” weeks before Bergfeld’s remains were found. Jones’s wife, Elaine, testified about his frequent payments for prostitutes and identified him as the purchaser of the track phone, though she maintained his innocence.

The first trial ended in a hung jury after four days of deliberation. A second trial was initiated after surveillance footage revealed Jones’s wife’s Chevy Impala circling Bergfeld’s workplace around the time of relevant phone calls. A courtroom confrontation between Jones and a friend of Bergfeld’s did not jeopardize the trial. Ultimately, the jury in the second trial returned a guilty verdict on all counts – first-degree murder, felony murder, and second-degree murder – resulting in a life sentence without parole. Frank Bergfeld died two years later, potentially from the emotional toll of the case.

Conclusion

The case of Paige Bergfeld is a tragic illustration of the dangers faced by individuals involved in the escort industry and the devastating consequences of violence. The meticulous investigation, despite initial setbacks and a hung jury, ultimately led to Lester Jones’s conviction, bringing a degree of closure to Bergfeld’s family. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of forensic evidence, witness testimony, and the enduring impact of violent crime on victims, their families, and the community.