Inside the Disturbing Case of a Colo. Dad Who Beheaded Son After Boy Made Disturbing Discovery

Mark Redwine was convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the 2012 killing of his 13-year-old son Dylan Redwine

On Nov. 18, 2012, Dylan Redwine was picked up by his father, Mark Redwine, at Durango-La Plata County Airport in Colorado for a court ordered visit for Thanksgiving. That was the last time the 13-year-old boy was seen alive.

Dylan's mother — who was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle with Mark — reported him missing the next day. Dylan's remains, including a decapitated head, would be found a long time later, near Mark’s home.

While law enforcement searched for the boy, Mark pleaded for his safe return and denied any involvement in his death. But he was eventually identified as a suspect and arrested in 2017 on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death, per an indictment previously obtained by PEOPLE.

At trial, prosecutors argued there had been tension in the relationship between father and son after the boy allegedly discovered graphic, compromising sexual photos of Mark — including several depicting him cross-dressing, wearing a diaper and handling human waste.

Related: Dylan Redwine Planned to Confront Father About 'Compromising' Photos Before He Was Killed: Brother

Dylan’s older brother Cory told PEOPLE in 2017 that he believes the “graphic” photographs the boys allegedly found of their dad may have motivated the crime and said Dylan planned to confront his father about them. The brothers had found the alleged photographs on their father’s laptop during a bonding road trip the boys had taken with their dad.

Dylan’s partial remains were located in June 2013 during a search of Middle Mountain on the Vallecito Reservoir. Prosecutors alleged at trial Mark removed his son's head, which wasn't found until late 2015 by hikers, nearly two miles away from where his body was found.

Experts testified that the boy likely died from a skull fracture as well as sharp force injuries.

Mark was sentenced in October 2021 to 48 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. After the judge’s decision, Mark continued to maintain his innocence, calling the sentence "fake justice,” KUSA reported.

Related: Mark Redwine Sentenced to 48 Years for Murdering Teenage Son in 2012: 'Utter Lack of Remorse'

“After all this time and listening to what was heard in this courtroom, you still take absolutely no responsibility for what you did to Dylan," Judge Jeffrey Wilson told Mark before handing down the sentence. "I have trouble remembering a convicted criminal defendant that has shown such an utter lack of remorse for his criminal behavior."

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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