Man found guilty in killing of Wahoo girl in 1969
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man pleaded no contest Thursday in the killing of a girl in Wahoo over five decades ago, officials say.
In Saunders County Court, Joseph Ambroz was found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mary Kay Heese.
He could face up to two years in prison.
On March 25, 1969, Hesse — who was 17 at the time — was stabbed to death on a road southeast of Wahoo.
Ambroz was initially charged with first-degree murder, but that was dismissed as part of a plea deal, Saunders County Attorney Jennifer Joakim said in a press release.
He was arrested in Ponca City, Oklahoma, in November 2024.
“This unique case has deservedly received many years of attention,” Joakim said. “A great deal of discussion, thought, and review has been dedicated to it.”
The plea agreement reflects a “balance and consideration” of many things, including discussions with Hesse’s family, statutes of limitation and investigative challenges, according to the attorney.
“There is no question based on admissible evidence that Joseph Ambroz participated in Mary Kay Heese’s murder,” Joakim said. “We may never know the full extent of his, and others, involvement because of the passage of time.”
