By Marshall Zelinger
m.zelinger@krdo.com
COLORADO SPRINGS - The relationship between Daniel Dereere and Bekime Elshani had a history of domestic violence. Elshani, whose friends call her Becky, has been missing since early Saturday morning. When police went to her apartment complex near Academy and Dublin Sunday night, they found her boyfriend, Dereere, dead inside. He shot himself just as police arrived. Police still don't know where Elshani may be.
"We're just obviously concerned for her welfare right now, based on the information that's known, it's highly unlike her to not contact family and friends," says Colorado Springs Police Sgt. Jeff Jensen.
"They moved in here a few weeks ago," says neighbor Starr Marchman. "Very young couple, really nice people, really really friendly."
NEWSCHANNEL 13 looked into the criminal history of the two and found three domestic violence cases in the last 10 months.
Last May, Elshani was charged with assault and harassment.
"They became involved in some kind of altercation and the allegation was that she punched him in the face," says Colorado Springs Police Lt. Skip Arms.
That case was dismissed in July. In October, Dereere was charged with assault and use of a stun gun. Elshani's friends tell NEWSCHANNEL 13 he tased her. That case was dismissed on March 17th.
On New Year's Eve, Dereere was charged with harassment. That trial was supposed to begin Monday.
One of Elshani's friends tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 that Dereere threatened Elshani a few months ago. According to the friend, Dereere said if he couldn't have Elshani, no one would, and that he would kill her and then himself.
If you have seen Bekime "Becky" Elshani or know of her whereabouts, call CSPD at 444-7000.
