You’ve probably seen the "48 Hours" specials or heard the whispers if you spend any time in San Angelo. The story of Frederick Mueller is one of those Texas mysteries that just doesn't sit right with people, no matter which side they’re on. It’s been years since the cameras left the courtroom, and honestly, the question of where is Frederick Mueller from Texas now usually pops up whenever true crime fans start digging into the "Death at Cottonwood Creek" case again.
Basically, Fred Mueller is a free man. He lives in San Angelo, Texas, where he has largely stayed out of the public eye since his legal saga ended over a decade ago.
But "free" is a complicated word here. While he isn't behind bars, the shadow of what happened in the Colorado mountains back in 2008 follows him everywhere.
The Cliff, the Creek, and the "Swan Dive"
To understand why people are still searching for him, you have to look at the sheer weirdness of the case. In May 2008, Fred and his wife, Dr. Leslie Mueller, were hiking near their vacation home in Lake City, Colorado. Leslie was a well-loved obstetrician; Fred was a successful businessman running Mueller Metals.
According to Fred, a bird startled their dog, which then bumped Leslie. He told investigators she went over a 17-foot cliff in a "swan dive," hitting the rocks below before being swept away by the freezing waters of Cottonwood Creek.
He ran for help. Rescuers eventually found Leslie’s body wedged under a log about 50 yards downstream.
But here’s where the story started to leak.
The first responders and investigators noticed something immediately: Leslie’s body was almost pristine. If you fall 17 feet onto jagged rocks and get tumbled through a rushing mountain creek, you’re going to have bruises. You’re going to have broken bones. Leslie didn't. Her head wasn't even bruised. Even her glasses were still perfectly perched on her face when they found her.
Why the Law Couldn't Make It Stick
For four years, nothing happened. Fred went back to San Angelo and tried to move on. Then, in 2012, authorities finally arrested him.
The trials were a total circus.
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- Trial One (Gunnison, 2013): The jury was hopelessly split. Actually, they weren't just split—they were 11 to 1 in favor of acquitting him. Just one juror kept him from walking away completely.
- Trial Two (Broomfield, 2013): The prosecution moved the trial to a Denver suburb, hoping for a different vibe. It worked, but not enough. This time, the jury swung the other way: 8 to 4 in favor of guilt.
Two trials. Two hung juries.
In November 2013, the District Attorney finally threw in the towel. They realized that without a "smoking gun" or new physical evidence, they were never going to get 12 people to agree on what happened at that creek. They dismissed the charges.
Life in San Angelo After the Storm
So, what does life look like for Frederick Mueller today?
He’s back in West Texas. For a long time, he continued his work with Mueller Metals, the family business that has been a staple in the region for years. If you go to San Angelo today, you won’t find him doing TV interviews or writing a "tell-all" book. He’s notoriously private.
There was a bit of a stir in late 2024 and early 2026 as "48 Hours" re-aired the case with updated segments, which always leads to a surge in people wondering if there was ever a third trial. There wasn't.
Some locals still swear by his innocence, citing his distraught behavior and the lack of a clear motive. Others? They can't get past the "perfect" state of Leslie's body or the scratches investigators found on Fred's face that he couldn't quite explain.
The Mueller Metals Legacy
It is worth noting that the Mueller family is deeply rooted in Texas business. Fred’s father and uncle grew Mueller Supply Co. into a massive success before it was sold in the 80s. Fred then started Mueller Metals, Inc. This deep local history is part of why the case was so polarizing in San Angelo.
He wasn't just some guy; he was a "Mueller."
The Bottom Line on His Current Status
If you're looking for him on a prisoner registry, you won't find him.
If you're looking for a conviction, there isn't one.
Frederick Mueller remains a resident of San Angelo, having survived one of the most high-profile "did-he-or-didn't-he" cases in Colorado history. While he’s no longer facing legal jeopardy for Leslie’s death, the court of public opinion remains permanently deadlocked.
What you can do next:
If you are interested in the technicalities of the case, you can review the Broomfield County Court records from 2013, which detail the specific reasons why a third trial was deemed unlikely to succeed. For those interested in the family's business history, the archives of the San Angelo Standard-Times provide extensive context on the Mueller family's influence in West Texas.