Neighbors react to “Birdman” investigation

LARKSPUR, Colo. — It was a tip from California earlier this year that brought Sheriff’s deputies to Nuggets’ Basketball star Chris Andersen’s home Thursday.

Deputies say it will be months before they analyze the evidence seized to determine whether to file criminal charges.

Neighbors say they never saw the search happen. As the news broke, one neighbor said she saw Andersen sneak into the back of his home to avoid the media gathering out front. He dodged their questions about the search warrant executed by the Douglas County Sheriff Crimes Against Children Unit.

“That unit specifically investigates allegation of internet luring, child predators and child pornography,” said Deborah Sherman, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

She said Andersen was home when deputies arrived and that he was cooperative.

Andersen’s neighbors never suspected what may have been happening inside.

“All I know is that he would get out of practice and you would hear his truck come home. He was pretty quiet,” said former neighbor Vicki MacKinnon.

Andersen earned a reputation for helping children at his annual basketball camp and for the artwork over his body. It was inked over 11 years by John Slaughter of Tribe Tattoo on Santa Fe.

“It’s not just in his character at all to be weird or a freak or anything at all like that,” said Slaughter.

By day’s end, a hired gun and a guard dog kept people off the property.

They will be here while Andersen waited inside for the outcome of the criminal investigation he’s now at the center of.