Share this @internewscast.com

FREDERICK, Colo. — After years with “many twists and turns,” a 72-year-old man in Nebraska has been arrested in connection with a 2007 homicide of a young mother in Colorado.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon that it had arrested Darrell Burklund, a former maintenance worker, in York, Nebraska on Friday.

He is accused of killing 25-year-old Jessica Bejarano, and has been booked in jail on a charge of second-degree murder, CBI said.

jessica bejarano_cold case

Colorado Bureau of Investigation

CBI Director Chris Schaefer, who was one of the original agents assigned to the case, said the arrest is “the culmination of years of tireless work by our investigators.”

“No matter how old or complicated these cases are, our cold case team is dedicated to resolving the most difficult cases no matter how long it takes,” he said.

This case started on April 6, 2007. That day, officers with the Frederick Police Department responded to a call along the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle. When they arrived at the home, they found Bejarano’s body in the bathroom. She had one stab wound to her chest, CBI said.

Her 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son were also in the home.

During the investigation, detectives looked at several suspects, which included Bejarano’s husband. He was later cleared because he was at work at the time of the crime, CBI said.

Detectives “ultimately” obtained DNA evidence that appeared to be a match to Burklund, CBI said.

Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | March 18, 11am

While no other details are available about what happened between the initial investigation and this month, investigators on Friday conducted a follow-up interview with Burklund in Nebraska, which led to his arrest that same day. CBI is working to extradite him to Colorado.

Burklund, who is now 72, was 54 at the time of Bejarano’s death.

Cece Merrow, Bejarano’s mother, said she is grateful for the work that led to this arrest, saying the family never gave up hope.

“There were so many twists and turns in her case, but we always had faith in the CBI,” she said.

The 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and the York County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska all assisted in this investigation.

No other details were available as of publishing time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Rampage: Man Fatally Shoots Three, Crashes into Buc-ee’s, Injuring Bystander

Inset: Christopher Reid Jr. (Henderson County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Buc-ee’s in…

Potential Shift in Legal Team: James Comey’s Lead Attorney Faces Removal from High-Profile Case

Left: Lindsey Halligan speaks as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in…

Police Report: Granddaughter Allegedly Starts House Fire Following Dispute

Share A tragic incident unfolded in Chesterfield, Virginia, where a young woman…

Road Rage Tragedy: Indiana Woman Fatally Shoots Driver Over Traffic Light Dispute

An Indiana woman faces murder charges following an alleged act of road…

Shocking Discovery: Parents Arrested After Special-Needs Son Found Buried in Backyard

Inset, left to right: December M. Mitchell and Jonathan J. Mitchell (Johnson…

Mystifying Disappearance of 9-Year-Old Melodee Sparks Concern Among Family Members

The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has become a pressing concern for…

Uncovering Nature’s Mysteries: Explore the Wildlife CSI Academy at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

Occasionally, the most profound insights into justice can emerge from the least…

Unveiling the Drama: Inside DOJ’s High-Stakes Alina Habba Legal Showdown

Left: Alina Habba walks off stage after speaking before Republican presidential nominee…

Georgia Family Alerts Authorities to Man Planning Attack at Atlanta Airport

Authorities apprehended a Georgia man on Monday morning at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International…

Experts Suggest Some Stolen Louvre Artifacts May Remain Lost Forever

The Louvre Museum in Paris has announced it will keep its doors…

Duo Caught in Foiled Robbery Attempt

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, authorities apprehended Leeandra Morris,…

Man Sentenced to Prison for Throwing Girl Off Bridge: A Shocking Case of Endangerment

Joshua Hubert sits in the courtroom for his dangerousness hearing on charges…