Mindy Sigg, who turned her son in for the murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway in 2012, is speaking out publicly for the first time after 13 years, revealing her profound guilt and mental health struggles while the victim’s family expresses deep gratitude for her actions. Her story underscores the complex moral dilemmas faced by parents of violent offenders and the enduring impact of such tragedies on all involved.
In late October 2012, Sigg’s life unraveled when her 17-year-old son, Austin Reed Sigg, confessed to murdering Jessica Ridgeway, a crime that had gripped their Westminster, Colorado community. Jessica had vanished on October 5 while walking to school, sparking a massive search that ended days later with the grim discovery of her remains. Sigg, a single mother of two, described the moment her son approached her, saying, ‘I’m a monster,’ and she immediately knew the truth, leading her to call police despite the unimaginable personal cost.
The phone call to Westminster Police was emotionally charged, with Sigg and her son both distraught as they insisted on his confession. In a recording later released, Sigg can be heard telling the dispatcher, ‘He just confessed to killing her,’ and revealing that evidence was in their home. Police arrived within 18 minutes, and Austin was taken into custody, where he admitted to kidnapping Jessica randomly, tying her with zip ties, and killing her in their house while no one else was present. He also confessed to a separate attack months earlier on a woman jogging, whom he attempted to subdue with chloroform.
Austin Sigg eventually pleaded guilty to over a dozen charges, including murder, kidnapping, sexual assault of a child, and exploitation of a child, after evidence of child sexual abuse imagery was found. In November 2013, he was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 40 years for Jessica’s murder, plus nearly 100 additional years for other crimes, effectively ensuring he will never be released. During the trial, psychological testimony revealed he had a history of seeking violent pornography and exhibited sadistic traits, though his upbringing was not blamed for his actions.
In the aftermath, Sigg faced severe mental health challenges, including panic attacks, suicidal ideations, and years of therapy. She described feeling overwhelming guilt, not for involvement in the crime, but for bringing her son into the world. Fleeing her home, she struggled with public perception and even received harassing calls, such as a voicemail replaying her 911 call. With the help of ketamine therapy and ongoing support, she has since improved but still grapples with the trauma, emphasizing that she would ‘trade my life for Jessica’s’ if possible.
The Ridgeway family, meanwhile, has expressed profound gratitude toward Sigg for her decision to turn in her son. Sarah Ridgeway, Jessica’s mother, noted that Sigg’s actions likely saved other children and praised her for prioritizing Jessica over her own child. The family has never blamed Sigg, acknowledging that nothing in her parenting caused the crime, and they continue to honor Jessica’s memory through annual remembrances, describing their grief as a shattered plate that can never be fully repaired.
Sigg has not spoken to her son in years, citing his unwillingness to provide honest answers about his motives. She reflects that she has never second-guessed calling the police, though she wonders if she would have done the same for a lesser crime. Her message to other families in similar situations is to avoid self-blame, acknowledging the difficulty of that advice. Now, after ‘graduating’ from regular therapy, she hopes her story can shed light on the silent struggles of those left behind by violent acts.
The case remains a poignant example of how communities and families navigate the aftermath of heinous crimes, with Sigg’s public account offering a rare glimpse into the long-term emotional toll. As she moves forward, her story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to cope with such events and the importance of support systems in healing from unimaginable loss.