The Candidate for Governor Who Killed a Child: What’s Wrong With Steve Pankey?

The tortured psyche of Jonelle Matthews’ murderer

Poster from Steve Pankey’s 2018 campaign for governor and his 2020 mugshot | Source: “Steve Pankey for Governor” official page and 19th Judicial District DA’s office

This mystery is not of the “what happened” kind. That question was answered by law enforcement in October 2020, more than 35 years after Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her home, and justice is on its way to be served.

This mystery is of the psychological kind. Steve Pankey, a politician, a Christian, and Jonelle’s murderer, acted in a bizarre and disturbing way in the time leading up to the death of 12-year-old Jonelle, immediately after it, and in the years and decades that followed.

What was going on in his mind? Did he ever feel a shred of remorse? Let’s look at what we know.

The disappearance of Jonelle Matthews

In 1984, Jonelle Matthews was 12 years old and living in Greely, Colorado, with her adoptive family: parents Jim and Gloria, and sister Jennifer.

Jonelle Matthews in 1984 | Source: CNN