Tanya Burnside had just gotten back from a camping trip with her significant other only a week before she died.

Now her death is being investigated as a murder-suicide. 

Burnside worked as the chief deputy treasurer for Douglas County. Her death shocked the office, especially Treasurer David Gill, who told The Gazette it “came out of nowhere.” 

“When she was back (from the camping trip,) she was saying how much they’d enjoyed it, what a great time they’d had, and that was just about a week before her death,” Gill said. “So it’s one of those things that’s difficult to comprehend.”

The bodies of Burnside, 45, and Bryce Tallent, 42, were discovered by Colorado Springs police on Aug. 10 in the 4100 block of Sod House Trail on the city’s east side while officers were responding to a shots-fired call.

Detectives say they are investigating Burnside’s death as a homicide and Tallent’s death as a suicide. 

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According to spokesperson Ira Cronin with the Colorado Springs Police Department, it appears that Burnside and Tallent were “known to each other and were in a relationship.” However, the exact nature of the relationship remains under investigation. 

Burnside’s death left behind countless grieving coworkers and friends. 

“Tanya and I worked closely in the (El Paso County) Treasurer’s Office for years, and in an office our size, you quickly become family,” said Christine Pasonelli, a former coworker and current chief deputy treasurer in El Paso County.

“One day you’re chatting about work processes, and the next you’re celebrating weddings, graduations and holidays together.”

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Pasonelli said Burnside and she bonded “instantly” over their love for dogs and running. Pasonelli’s husky and Burnside’s golden retriever had the same “boundless energy,” becoming best friends as well. 

“Tanya had a huge heart and often talked about starting a dog rescue,” Pasonelli said. “She loved her family, friends, and every one of her animals with fierce devotion. She had a gift for making people feel instantly welcome, and if her vibrant personality didn’t win you over right away, her food and snacks always did.”

According to Gill, Burnside spent many years in El Paso County working in various roles before making the job leap to the county north. Her three-year anniversary in Douglas County was less than a week before she was killed. 

Burnside had degrees from Pikes Peak State College and Regis University, according to LinkedIn.

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“She was a terrific person and a superb county employee,” Gill said. “She kept looking for more things that she could do for the county and was a part of several different modernization efforts that were going on simultaneously.”

Gill said Burnside was a quick and easy hire, needing only one interview before an offer was extended. Her personality in addition to her skills won everyone over. 

“She had a sharp mind for numbers, especially in managing the county’s investment portfolio, and was admired for her vast knowledge, quick thinking and steady leadership,” Pasonelli said.

Burnside’s death devastated Pasonelli, who called the Douglas County office the Monday after her death, thinking it was odd no one had heard from her. 

“Our core group of friends that originated within the Treasurer’s Office has a running group chat and we all knew her silence was unusual,” Pasonelli said. 

Gill also said it was unusual his office had not heard from her. Since she was commuting from El Paso County to Castle Rock, traffic crashes on Interstate 25 would slow her down occasionally, but she always called to let the office know. 

“Our folks, when she wasn’t here and hadn’t called, were concerned and we’re starting to check to see if they could find where she was or what was going on, because she was not answering her phone calls or texts,” Gill said. “It was at about 9:30 that morning that we had a call saying that she was dead.” 

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After finding out about Burnside’s passing, friends and family quickly organized a GoFundMe for Melina Burnside, her daughter, to help her navigate life without her mother.

“Tanya Burnside was a devoted mother, loving daughter and sister, brilliant coworker, and cherished friend,” organizers of the fundraiser wrote on the page. “Her bubbly spirit, quick wit, and playful personality brought light and laughter to everyone she met.”

“She was just a delight to work with, and frankly, we’re struggling, not only at the loss of this person who was such an integral part of our office, but just the personality and the presence,” Gill said. “She brought people together.”