Boulder Jam Band Drummer Matthew Coconis Killed in Aurora Homicide

Aurora police are seeking public help in solving the homicide of Matthew Coconis, the 53-year-old drummer who built his reputation behind the kit with Acoustic Junction, a Boulder-based jam band that toured relentlessly through the 1990s before splitting in 2000.

Coconis was found dead on Dec. 14, 2025, in the 14000 block of East Jewell Avenue near Colorado Community Church in Aurora, where he lived at the time of his death. Officers responded around 7 p.m. that evening to a report of a suspicious death. The Aurora Police Department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit investigated the case as a suspicious death while the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office conducted its parallel investigation. The coroner's office has since completed its work and ruled the manner of death a homicide. Aurora PD's news release did not provide a cause of death.

No arrests have been made. Police say they have no suspect information.

To those who knew his playing, Coconis was simply "Animal," a nickname his obituary attributes to his drumming style. He was part of Acoustic Junction from the band's formation in Boulder in 1989 through its run of heavy touring across the decade that followed. Beyond music, he worked as a carpenter. He is survived by two sisters, two brothers and two nephews.

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 720-913-7867. The agency posted a public case reminder on March 12, 2026, noting that no tip is too small and urging anyone with information about the December homicide to come forward.