This mural places a calmly gazing Isabella Thallas' head on a bed of red roses. To the left of the mural is a blue area where well-wishers may leave messages of hope and love for the family and friends.
"Hundreds gather to remember 21-year-old killed while walking dog in Denver
Isabella Thallas was killed and her boyfriend Darian Simon was injured and is still in the hospital.
DENVER — There’s only one word to describe Thursday evening in the Ballpark neighborhood: heartbreaking.
Several hundred people gathered to remember 21-year-old Isabella Thallas. She was shot and killed Wednesday while walking her dog with her boyfriend Darian Simon. Police said the suspect who shot them, Michael Close, was mad about their dog relieving itself.
A probable cause (PC) statement from Denver Police (DPD) for the arrest of Close said Simon was shot in the leg and buttocks.
The shooting happened in the Ballpark neighborhood near the 3000 block of North Fox Street, and the PC statement says it occurred after a man yelled at Simon for commanding the dog "to poop" while he and Thallas were out walking the dog.
The PC statement says the suspect, Close, was apprehended in Park County. Close lives in the area of the shooting, according to DPD.
"My heart is broke. I’ve never gone to sleep crying and woke up crying in my life. I’ve been through a lot," said Josh Thallas, Isabella's father. "I can’t replace what was taken today. When I say broke, she was walking her dog with her boyfriend. That was it."
The memorial at the spot where Isabella Thallas died has grown with flowers and pictures covering the side of the street.
Isabella Thallas’ family said they remember her as a woman who loved to dance and always smiled.
"She was such a beautiful, innocent soul," said Ana Thallas, Isabella's mother. "Only the good die young. I don’t know what else to say. I love my baby. I love my baby."
Simon is still in the hospital after he was shot. His mother spoke at the vigil tonight while he watched over Facetime. He is expected to be okay. People wore shirts and sweaters from the "Be A Good Person" brand, which Simon started.
The Thallas family is hoping to convert the spot where Isabella Thallas died walking her dog into a dog park to help remember her." (from (
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"‘Better Than Going To A Gravesite’: Mural Immortalizes Isabella Thallas
A new mural will serve as a place of healing for the family of a woman shot and killed while walking her dog. A gunman killed Isabella Thallas last week in the ballpark neighborhood, just days after she turned 21 years old.
A local artist, known as Detour, tells CBS4 he actually met Isabella three weeks ago through her boyfriend and wanted to do something in her honor after learning about her death.
He reached out for a picture of her, and on Monday, started a mural near the corner of 17th and Park Avenues. On Tuesday, Thallas’ friends and family came to the area to see Detour’s progress on the mural.
“My heart sunk, it was so beautiful,” said Josh Thallas, Isabella’s father. “I turned the corner and it’s absolutely amazing. It depicts her to a ‘T.’”
The mural, which has been painted on the side of Talulah Jones, is full of vibrant colors and roses. Family members said its aesthetic reflects the way Isabella lived her life.
“She was a fashionista, she was a traveler, she was a free spirit, a free soul,” said Ana Thallas, Isabella’s mother. “This is a true representation of my daughter in the purest form, and I can’t thank this man enough.”
Next to the mural is a blue wall where people can paint their own messages for Isabella and her family. By Tuesday evening, there were already a few dozen messages on the wall.
The permanence of the mural and nearby messages give family a chance at finding peace, and a way to see the outpouring of love and support for Isabella.
“It’s not something to get scrubbed off in a couple of months,” said Josh Thallas. “It’s here for the city to see and just absolutely pure love.”
“This is so much better than going to a gravesite to visit my daughter,” said Ana Thallas. “It’s healing. This is a glimpse of hope to show that not everybody in this world is not as evil as that man who brutally murdered her.”
During a break from painting, Detour said he hopes the mural stands the test of time and becomes a place where family can visit and Denverites can learn about Isabella’s story.
“I want to make sure there’s at least something in the public eye that people can see and look at to remember her and also to discover her down the line,” he said.
One of the more notable moments that happened Tuesday afternoon was when Detour brought out a second ladder for Isabella’s younger sister Lucia. Friends and family watched and took pictures as the two worked together to paint Isabella’s eyelashes on the mural.
Josh Thallas said family members called Isabella Bugsy because of her eyelashes.
“It’s a great healing for her too,” He said. “I think to be involved and partake in something so amazing for her sister.”
Ana Thallas tells CBS4 she will visit the mural often. She also has an idea for the adjacent park.
“This park is called no name park. With her right here, I would love for it to be called Bella gardens,” Thallas said." (from (
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