Medical examiner who handled Sgt. Sean Drenth case resigns; case hits two-year anniversary

On the second anniversary of Sgt. Sean Drenth’s shooting death, his family is still looking for answers about why he was shot and killed in a dirt lot near the state capitol.

Despite a medical examiner’s suicide ruling late last year, Drenth’s family insists he was murdered, and they won’t give up hope in their search for details about what led to Drenth’s death.

“Sean’s family feels very strongly that there are people who know things that could help us solve Sean’s case,” said Diane Drenth, Sean Drenth’s mother.

“We don’t want (the case) to just go cold,” she said, describing how her son’s death feels like it happened yesterday. 

She said the amount of time that has passed since she has spoken to her son, however, “feels like an eternity."

Drenth’s widow, Colleen Drenth, said the memories of the night her husband was killed are still very vivid. 

“October is a hard month,” she said. “There are so many memories."

She cherishes the moments she spent with him and is thankful she always ended her phone conversations with him with the words “I love you."

“I don’t have any regrets,” she said.

Thursday night, Drenth’s extended family gathered at the location where he as killed on October 18, 2010. They shared memories that made them laugh and cry during a private vigil.

NEW HOPE

The family said they have new hope that they may one day be able to meet with the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. They would like an explanation showing why the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy ruled the case a suicide.

Previously, Maricopa County officials denied their repeated requests for a meeting.

However, the ABC15 Investigators have learned the doctor who completed Drenth’s autopsy resigned from his county position at the end of September.

“I was surprised to find out that he wasn’t there anymore,” said Diane Drenth.

Diane Drenth said she has placed another request for a meeting with the county.