AURORA, Colo. — A suspect has been apprehended following a brutal attack and sexual assault of a woman last May along the High Line Canal Trail near Expo Park. The arrest of 21-year-old Jack Khaidav comes after community tips helped identify him as the alleged attacker.
The incident occurred on the morning of May 8, when the victim was walking on the trail. According to police reports, she was violently grabbed from behind, sustaining injuries that included a fractured nose and a significant bruise on her forehead. Despite her condition, she managed to defend herself and alert two women nearby, potentially preventing further harm.
Following the incident, Aurora Police released surveillance footage captured from a nearby apartment building. The video showed a man matching the victim’s description walking toward the scene and leaving shortly after the assault. This evidence was crucial in seeking information from the public.
Lt. Seth Robertson, who oversees the Special Victims Section at the Aurora Police Department, emphasized the importance of community involvement and technological resources in resolving the case. “Technology and community collaboration made the difference in this case,” he stated. Without the surveillance video, he suggested, the suspect might have remained unidentified for much longer.
Initial tips poured in, leading to an anonymous caller on May 24 who identified the suspect as “Jack” and provided an address in Aurora. However, investigators struggled to verify his identity at that time. A breakthrough came on July 19 when another caller, recognizing Khaidav from the video, provided his name and the same address as the previous tips.
On January 16, 2026, a third caller connected the dots, stating they were sure it was Khaidav and urging authorities to take action. Eleven days later, police visited the address given, where Khaidav’s mother confirmed her son’s identity after he was contacted and agreed to speak with them.
During the interaction, Khaidav admitted to the assault, reportedly breaking down in tears while recounting the events. He also expressed remorse in a two-page apology letter addressed to the victim. He is currently being held without bail at the Arapahoe County Jail on charges of sexual assault, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
The investigation continues as police seek additional information. Authorities are encouraging anyone with knowledge related to the case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, where tips can remain anonymous and potentially earn a reward of up to $2,000.