The vacation rental where a Colorado teen was shot to death last year is reportedly still available for rent, despite the revocation of the property owner's short-term rental license.
In March 2023, Rigoberto "Rigo" Esparza III was fatally shot in the driveway of the Denver, Colorado, residence owned by Bobby Manigo, Westword reported, citing the Denver Department of Excise & License, which oversees the city's short-term rentals.
Rigo, 18, showed up with a group of friends to attend a house party allegedly co-hosted by Manigo.
The residence was reportedly equipped with a stripper pole, bar, DJ and food truck. Despite city regulations prohibiting parties at short-term rentals, security charged guests a $100 cover, according to the outlet.
That costly entrance fee allegedly angered some patrons who were turned away, and later returned to carry-out the drive-by, police said.
As he stood in the driveway, Rigo was struck in the torso by gunfire, police said, according to the outlet. He died on the scene, leaving behind a 1-year-old son, at the time.
The day before his funeral, Rigo's father, Rigoberto Esparza, Jr., killed himself.
"I still can't believe it's happened," Mary Esparza, Rigo's grandmother, told the outlet."I don't think it will ever pass. I just sit here crying. It's dead here. We can't be happy. I can't even laugh."
Added Rigo's mother, Miranda Fresquez, "If it wasn't for my other kids, I would probably be buried right next to them. I don't want to be here. ... I am such a different person now that my son and his dad are gone. It has torn our lives apart, and it's never going to get better."
Joseph Lash, 21, Alijah Scott, 19, and Daniel Villegas, 21, were arrested and charged with Rigo's murder.
Police allege Villegas drove the getaway car, while Lash and Scott indiscriminately fired off dozens of rounds at the home, hitting Rigo once, killing him.
Lash pleaded not guilty, while Scott has not yet entered a plea.
Villegas was handed down a 12-year suspended sentence for his part as the driver, according to Westword.
Manigo has not been held criminally liable, the district attorney confirmed, Westword reported.
The shooting involving Rigo is reportedly the third such incident to have occurred at a short-term Denver rental property owned by Manigo.
The city reportedly first revoked Manigo's rental license in 2020 after a shooting at a different property he owned. His license was reinstated a year later, only to have it revoked again, months after Rigo's death, according to the outlet.
Despite his lack of a license, the listing for the short-term rental home where Rigo died remains active on sites, such as Vrbo and TripAdvisor, Westword reported. Airbnb and Booking.com removed the listing.
Westword reported on March 1 guests were staying at the home, but claimed they were unaware a murder had occurred at the property.
According to a city report obtained by Westword, officials allege Manigo has tried to find ways to continue his business as a rental owner, accusing Manigo's sister of trying to rent out another house under her name so that he could keep hosting illegal parties.
"[Manigo] tries to find loopholes to continue running these venues," the report stated.
Manigo will be eligible to reapply for a license in October 2025.
