The fresh lubricant that let the padlock fall open-and how Nicole fell inside

A meter reader found a padlocked garage with a young woman inside - and fresh lubricant on the lock begs one question: how did she get in? The fresh lubricant that let the padlock fall open-and how Nicole fell inside In this episode, we follow the day a routine meter read uncovered a locked garage, a seated woman, and a set of small details that refuse to add up. The episode lays out who was where, what records say happened days earlier, and the single mystery that keeps growing: how was the sealed space accessed? Person: Nicole Brown Date: May 1 (time of death between 9 p.m. and midnight) Location: Detached garage, 14 Aldermoor Road Person: Pat Sutter (landlord, sole keyholder) Event: Meyer Home Services work order dated April 29 - Carl Hunter, an Xcel Energy meter reader, noticed rusted shackle and intact cobwebs but smelled something wrong at three feet from the padlocked garage. - Deputies breached the garage on May 4 and found 26-year-old Nicole Brown seated upright with a paperback in her lap; the padlock and exterior seals were undisturbed. - Medical Examiner Dr. Anne Reyes determined Nicole died of manual strangulation on May 1; evidence shows she was placed in the chair after death. - A Meyer Home Services furnace inspection was logged for April 29 with landlord Pat Sutter’s signature authorizing the visit, though Sutter says he does not recall requesting or signing it. - Forensics found genuine surface rust on the shackle but fresh lubrication inside the lock’s cylinder, a detail that reframes access to a supposedly sealed space. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].