Years before Tim Watkins was found shot dead in the forest above Palmer Lake, another mountain biker suffered a similar fate 170 miles away.

His name was Mike Rust and his death bears uncanny parallels to that of Watkins’ slaying eight years later.

Mike Rust was killed, missing for quite some time until his remains were found in a hole on the property of a Saguache County resident.

The latest episode of the Colorado Cold Case podcast appeared online Monday, examining the ties between the two men, who were contemporaries and whose deaths rattled the outdoors community.

Watkins disappeared after going for a ride on Sept. 14, 2017, on Mount Herman, just outside Palmer Lake. His body was found shot and buried three days later near one of his favorite trails. Several of his belongings — including a cycling shoe, the contents of his wallet and his custom-made bike — also were found spread across the mountain.

No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named in the killing.

Watkins’ death came eight years after renowned mountain biker Mike Rust disappeared while living in rural San Luis Valley. He was a revered member of the mountain biking community, helping to pioneer several advances in the sport.

His death remained a mystery until investigators received a call from someone who claimed to know who might have killed Rust, and where his body was hidden. It’s a call that Watkins’ family says they’re still waiting to receive.

Colorado Cold Case podcast, which is reported and produced by The Gazette, can be found on iTunes, Spotify and wherever else you get your podcasts.