Torrington Police Open Investigation Involving Nathan Hightman

By Jennifer Kocher

Special to the Wyoming Truth

The Torrington Police Department has opened an investigation involving Nathan Hightman, who was incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington until late October.

Hightman, 40, has since been moved to the maximum Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins, according to the Wyoming Department of Corrections Offender Locator.

It’s not clear what prompted the police investigation or what led to Hightman’s transfer.

Torrington Chief of Police Matt Johnson confirmed to the Wyoming Truth that an investigation is ongoing.

“We do have an open investigation involving Mr. Hightman. At this time, I am not able to provide any additional information on the case,” Johnson said in an email on Monday. “If probable cause is established to charge Mr. Hightman with a crime, we would submit those charges to the Goshen County Attorney for prosecution.”

Hightman, who has been incarcerated since June 14, was sentenced in Campbell County District Court to three to six years after pleading guilty to three felonies related to financial and intellectual property crimes against Irene Gakwa following her disappearance in February 2022. Hightman admitted to illegally using Gakwa’s debit card without permission and maxing out her credit card.

Gakwa, 34, disappeared from the couple’s home in Gillette in late February 2022 and has not been seen or heard from since.

Hightman told police Gakwa left of her own accord, driving off in an unknown vehicle with her belongings packed into two bags.

The Gillette Police Department is continuing to investigate Gakwa’s disappearance.