“Run, Run, Run”: 20/20 Reports on Alan Helmick Homicide January 31 2025

Alan Helmick was a respected businessman in Colorado, known for his success in real estate and development. After losing his first wife, Sharon, to a sudden heart attack in 2003, Alan struggled with grief. In an attempt to move forward, he enrolled in a dance class in 2005, where he met instructor Miriam Helmick. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and within a year, they were married. Alan, who had built a stable and successful life, seemed to have found love again.

Miriam Helmick, however, carried a complicated past. Having moved from Jacksonville, Florida, she was twice widowed, with both husbands dying under suspicious circumstances. Despite her history, Alan embraced his new wife wholeheartedly, buying her a dance studio and a sprawling horse ranch in Whitewater, Colorado. Friends and family saw them as a happy couple, but behind the scenes, financial troubles and deception would lead to a shocking crime.

A Suspicious Attempt on Alan’s Life

In April 2008, just months before Alan’s murder, an alarming incident raised concerns about his safety. Alan was sitting in his car outside a business in Delta, Colorado, when he smelled smoke. Flames engulfed the vehicle, forcing him to escape. Investigators later discovered that a makeshift wick had been inserted into the gas tank and ignited—a clear attempt to kill him.

Despite the attack, Alan did not initially suspect Miriam. He was unaware that she had taken out a secret life insurance policy on him, forging his signature. Investigators began piecing together the couple’s finances and found that Miriam had been forging checks and depleting Alan’s accounts. Alan, who had always been financially independent, was losing money at an alarming rate, yet he remained unaware of the extent of his wife’s deception.

The Murder of Alan Helmick

On June 10, 2008, Alan Helmick was found dead in the kitchen of his home. He had been shot execution-style in the back of the head. Miriam called 911, reporting that she had returned home from running errands to find their home ransacked and her husband dead. She claimed it was a robbery gone wrong, but investigators immediately noted inconsistencies in her story.

While some drawers were pulled open in an apparent attempt to stage a burglary, nothing valuable was taken. Jewelry, firearms, and cash remained untouched. Additionally, Alan had no defensive wounds, suggesting he was caught off guard. Detectives believed the crime scene had been staged to mislead authorities. Their suspicions soon turned toward Miriam.

The Web of Deception Unravels

As investigators delved deeper, a troubling pattern of financial fraud and manipulation emerged. Miriam had not only been forging Alan’s checks but had also assumed the identity of his late wife, Sharon, to open credit accounts. She had accumulated significant debt and was at risk of being exposed. Alan, known for his sharp business acumen, was beginning to question their finances—something Miriam could not afford to let happen.

In the days following Alan’s murder, Miriam claimed she was being stalked. She reported receiving a threatening card reading:
“ALAN WAS FIRST! YOU’RE NEXT! RUN, RUN, RUN.”
Detectives, however, traced the purchase of the card to a local store and obtained surveillance footage showing Miriam herself buying it. The staged threat was another failed attempt to mislead investigators.

Adding to their suspicions, Miriam fled to Jacksonville, Florida, shortly after the murder, where she moved in with her son and resumed online dating. Authorities later learned that she had been searching for wealthy men and had been actively looking to change her identity. She even used identification belonging to Alan’s first wife to apply for jobs.

Arrest, Trial, and Conviction

On December 8, 2008, six months after Alan’s murder, Miriam Helmick was arrested in Jacksonville and extradited to Colorado. She was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder for the failed car explosion, and multiple counts of forgery.

The prosecution built a compelling case, showing that Miriam had planned Alan’s murder for financial gain. They presented evidence of her fraudulent activities, her failed first attempt to kill Alan, and her staged burglary. Prosecutors also argued that Miriam had likely killed her first husband, Jack Giles, in Florida, whose 2002 death had been ruled a suicide.

In December 2009, a jury found Miriam Helmick guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and 10 counts of forgery. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 108 years for her other crimes.

Failed Appeals and the Legacy of a Con Artist

Miriam Helmick has attempted multiple appeals, arguing ineffective legal representation. Each has been denied, with the courts affirming her conviction and sentence. She remains incarcerated at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility.

Alan Helmick’s daughters expressed relief at her sentencing, describing her as a manipulative woman who infiltrated their family and took advantage of their father’s kindness. The court’s decision ensured that Miriam Helmick would never be able to deceive or harm anyone again.

The case of Miriam Helmick is a chilling reminder of how deception, greed, and manipulation can lead to devastating consequences. What began as a love story ended in a tragic betrayal, with Alan Helmick paying the ultimate price for trusting the wrong person.