Bond reduced for Aspen woman accused of holding victim captive

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An Aspen woman accused of kidnapping and assaulting another local for two consecutive days had her bond reduced Monday.

Vanessa Leighton, who was accused of holding a woman captive and physically abusing her in Pitkin County between July 5 and 7, saw her bond reduced from $75,000 to $30,000, Monday in District Court. Police are still looking for Nathan Keen, who they believe to be complicit in Leighton’s suspected crimes.

Court records, including a statement of facts from Investigator Brad Gibson, outline multiple charges against Leighton: complicity, second-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment, menacing, second-degree assault, and criminal mischief.

Investigator Gibson’s affidavit outlines a sequence of events involving alleged kidnapping, physical abuse and psychological torture that took place in the morning hours of July 5 and includes verbal abuse and brandishment of a firearm.

Leighton, who remains in custody at Pitkin County Jail, attended the hearing via Webex. The legal status of Keen was not addressed during the hearing.

Leighton’s defense attorney, Lauren Maytin, described her client as “a fabric of this community since birth,” highlighting her longstanding ties to the area. 

The alleged victim was not present but submitted a written survivor statement, which Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Whiting read aloud to the court. According to court documents, the victim incurred fractured ribs, bruising and additional injuries. 

Whiting said, “I was handed a statement written by the new victim. She’s downstairs. She doesn’t wish to appear.

The statement read: “She (Vanessa Leighton) held me captive for three days. I am terrified.”

It continued: “Nate Keen, is still on the run now you were asking to let defendant go as well. What is stopping them from meeting up, kidnapping me, torturing me again, or worse, killing me? I can’t have both of them at large. I’m already afraid of one that is still out there.”

Whiting argued against lowering Leighton’s bond, citing concerns over her potential flight risk.

“This defendant does present something of a flight risk, Your Honor, as is demonstrated by law enforcement’s inability to locate the co-defendant,” Whiting said.

After considering arguments from both sides, Judge Laura Makar granted the bond reduction but emphasized the seriousness of the charges.

“The nature of these charges is incredibly serious and reflected in the affidavit supporting this case,” Makar said. “However, considering the defendant’s employment history and ties to Pitkin County, the court finds a bond reduction appropriate with certain conditions.”

Leighton is scheduled to return to court for a status conference at 10 a.m. Sept. 22.