All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – Nicholas Blackburn (Y.O.B. 1994) has been charged with two Counts of manslaughter (one voluntary, one involuntary), in relation to the death of a 29-year-old Riverton man who was found deceased in his home on March 17, 2024, according to court documents filed on October 4.
The deceased has been identified as Pete Ouray.
On Sunday March 17th, a Fremont County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy was dispatched to a residence in Riverton, were the reporting party stated that they found their son in his room “possibly deceased,” court documents inform.
Upon arrival the deputy determined the subject, later identified as Ouray, had passed away, and also identified blood stains on the bedding and in the immediate area.
The deputy also observed signs that indicated he had been deceased for some time, “estimated to be days.”
Deputies then spoke with the other two residents in the house, Ouray’s mother and stepfather, who went on to tell investigators that when they all arrived home on Thursday, March 14, they went to their room on one side of the house, and Ouray went to his room on the other side of the residence.
Court documents go on to state that approximately 15 minutes later, they heard the front door open, along with “the familiar voice” of Blackburn, who is reported to be “cousins and friends” with Ouray.
An argument between Ouray and Blackburn was later heard that night, Ouray’s parents went on to inform investigators, where they heard Ouray tell Blackburn to “calm down and knock it off,” and that the argument later quieted down.
The next day on March 15, Ouray’s mother heard another argument between Blackburn and Ouray before she left for work, where she could hear Ouray yelling at Blackburn to “leave him alone,” followed by what sounded like a struggle in the room that they were in.
Ouray’s stepfather went on to tell investigators that Blackburn then “left the room extremely angry and very agitated,” and had Ouray’s vehicle key in his hand as he walked into the living room.
When he asked Blackburn what the argument was about, Ouray’s stepfather stated that he responded by throwing the key at him and commenting, “If you wanted to know what this was about (he should) go ask Pete,” before “storming” out of the door and leaving the residence.
He then observed Blackburn get into a vehicle and leave the area.
On Sunday, March 17, Ouray’s parents said they went into his room to check on him, but found him “face down” and apparently deceased, leading to the original 911 call.
The scene was later worked by the FCSO, the Riverton Police Department, the Fremont County Coroner’s Office, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
No cause of death could be identified at the time, court documents later inform, but it was noted that the position of Ouray’s clothing indicated a “physical interaction had occurred,” and that there was an apparent bite mark observed on his torso, “in a position he was not capable of doing himself.”
On Wednesday, March 20 an autopsy was conducted, and the preliminary findings indicated that Ouray died by “homicide via blunt force trauma causing subdural hematoma.”
The autopsy informed that his body showed signs of other injuries “consistent with a physical altercation,” and the forensic pathologist advised the head injury “could have been caused by being hit in the head, including with a hand and fist.”
Court documents go on to state that investigators later determined a relative of Blackburn’s dropped him off at Ouray’s residence on March 14, and that they later picked him the next day on March 15.
On Monday, September 23, investigators conducted another interview with one of Ourays parents, who confirmed hearing a “thud” the morning of the altercation, and “what sounded like an impact” caused by a “punch.”
Investigators also confirmed that no other guests were reported to have entered the home between March 14 and March 17, and that no one else in the area had access to the home, which they kept “locked.”
Blackburn is scheduled to be arraigned in Lander before the Honorable Judge Jason Conder on October 17.
The maximum penalty for a felony manslaughter charge is imprisonment of up to 20 years
County 10 will continue to provide updates on the case, which can be viewed here.