Bailey: A tragic house fire in Bailey, Colorado, claimed the life of 17-year-old Maggie Long on December 1, 2017. As authorities continue to investigate the incident, they have uncovered unsettling details surrounding her death. Maggie’s family and community are still searching for answers.
On the night of the fire, Maggie was missing from a school concert. Her sister, Connie, had a bad feeling, knowing Maggie would never miss an event she was involved in. As minutes passed with no word from Maggie, Connie felt something was terribly wrong. Little did Connie know, Maggie had rushed home to gather cookies for the concert.
Soon after, a fire broke out at the Long family home. Firefighters later found Maggie’s body in the charred remains of the house. Authorities initially struggled to determine the cause but later uncovered details linking the fire to a robbery. The robbers had reportedly entered the home, where they confronted Maggie. After a violent struggle, they set the house on fire, killing her inside. The criminals managed to escape with valuable items, including firearms and ammunition.
Authorities were initially alerted by a tenant in the guest suite who heard loud bangs before fleeing unharmed. While the tenant was ruled out as a suspect, the details of Maggie’s death continued to puzzle investigators. Maggie’s death was later classified as a homicide.
Investigators Follow Multiple Leads and Explore Potential Motives for the Attack
The authorities have continued to appeal to the public for information. They received around 415 tips and a suspect sketch has been released. As of now, the assailants remain unidentified. It remains unclear if the robbery and fire were random or targeted. Was Maggie killed because she saw the robbers? Was there a hate motive? Or could the assailants have targeted the family due to their successful restaurant business?
Maggie’s family had emigrated from Vietnam decades earlier and sought peace in the rural Colorado town. Despite the remote location of their home, the Longs never imagined being victims of such a violent crime. Growing up, the family never worried about security in their peaceful mountain community. Their home, far from the county road and hidden behind trees, was the last place they thought would be targeted.
After Maggie’s death, her sister, Connie, described the overwhelming uncertainty. She had driven to Bailey from Denver to support Maggie at the concert, but arrived to find her home engulfed in flames. As firefighters put out the fire, Connie could only ask, “Where’s my sister?”
Family Struggles with Loss and Police Investigation
As the investigation continues, questions around Maggie’s death remain unanswered. The Long family spent weeks in a chaotic state, working alongside law enforcement officials who were restricted from releasing information due to a gag order. This secrecy led to confusion within the community, especially after the authorities confirmed Maggie’s death.
With over 6,000 tips having been received in the case, investigators still push for any helpful leads. As the community mourns and seeks justice, the unsolved case weighs heavily on the hearts of Maggie’s family.
Maggie’s parents, San and Hy Long, have endured a traumatic loss. After a long and difficult journey from their homeland, they built a life in the U.S. for their children. Now, after this senseless act of violence, they hope for answers that could provide closure.
