The missing body of a Colorado dog breeder was found on his mountain property on August 24 and police believe the key to solving the case is with locating the missing puppies.
As many as 10 Doberman puppies are missing from the breeder's property and is a focal point in the investigation.
A suspect is being held in connection to the murder of 57-year-old Paul Peavey.
Sergio Ferrer, 36, is facing first-degree murder and aggravated felony robbery charges, according to the Office of the District Attorney of the Fifth Judicial District.
Ferrer appeared in court on August 20 for a hearing on the advisement of the charges with his bail being set at $1 million.
Peavey had last been heard from on the night of August 19 and reported missing two days later. His body was discovered by a private search party on his property where he was allegedly shot.
The local coroner has ruled Peavey's death a homicide, per Clear Creek Sheriff's Office press release.
Within hours of locating Peavey's body, Ferrer was arrested as authorities highlighted Ferrer had quickly become a person of interest; however, was initially arrested on an unrelated warrant out of Nebraska.
Peavey, a self-described "dog lover," ran the dog breeding company Elite European Dobermans.
The company produced only two litters of puppies each year. Each dog is microchipped, said investigators who believe the puppies are potentially being "sold through social media sites or by other means."
Investigators noted that whether "you received the puppy that was purchased or if you did not receive the puppy" from Peavey, puppy owners and would-be owners alike should contact the sheriff's office, who was still trying to narrow down the exact number of missing pups.
Held at Clear Creek County Jail, Ferrer is being held at Clear Creek County Jail and due to return to court on September 18 for an appearance of counsel in the case, according to PEOPLE.
He is separately scheduled to make an appearance in another case in Clear Creek County Court on Wednesday, September 4.
