Robert Wells Launched Podcast to Revisit 1983 Murder

The new series aims to examine the cold case of Sid Wells, who was killed in 1983.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a file folder, representing the cold case investigation of a 1983 murder. — Robert Wells has launched a new investigative podcast, 'The Casebook Files,' to re-examine the unsolved 1983 murder of his brother, Sid Wells. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Robert Wells has launched a podcast titled The Casebook Files to investigate the 1983 murder of his brother, Sid Wells. The series uses artificial intelligence to identify case patterns and features interviews with investigators.

Why it matters

The podcast provides a platform to re-examine the decades-old cold case in hopes of securing justice for Sid Wells. It highlights how modern technology and investigative journalism are being applied to legacy criminal cases.

A 2010 arrest warrant for first-degree murder remains active for Thayne Smika, who is also accused of forging 14 checks totaling $63,850.59. The suspect allegedly fled Denver in 1986.

The players

Robert Wells

He is the brother of the murder victim and the creator of the investigative podcast.

Sid Wells

He was a 22-year-old victim of a 1983 homicide that remains a focus of current investigations.

Thayne Smika

He was a former roommate of the victim who became a primary suspect in the murder and financial crimes.

The details

The production team recorded the first segment of The Casebook Files on September 23, 2026, in Denver. The podcast utilizes a self-contained artificial intelligence application to analyze evidence and draw connections between details of the 1983 incident.

Sid Wells was found dead from a gunshot wound on August 1, 1983.
Thayne Smika was arrested in October 1983.
Smika allegedly forged checks and fled Denver in 1986.
An arrest warrant for murder was issued for Smika on December 2, 2010.
The first recording for the podcast occurred on September 23, 2026.

Legal Context

This effort follows a investigative pattern set by the 1983 murder of Sid Wells to seek resolution in the long-standing cold case. Cold case investigations in Colorado increasingly leverage digital tools to process evidence that was previously unmanageable.

Residents in the area may encounter production crews or requests for information related to the 1983 case as the podcast team conducts investigations. The project serves as a public resource for ongoing interest in the cold case status.

The takeaway

The use of artificial intelligence in investigative podcasting reflects a shift in how families approach cold cases to maintain public pressure on investigators. Listeners can observe how digital tools are bridging the gap between historical evidence and modern forensic analysis.