York man arrested in 2007 killing of Colorado woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska man has been arrested in a cold homicide case in Colorado, authorities announced Tuesday.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said 72-year-old Darrell Burklund of York is accused of second-degree murder.
He was arrested Friday and booked into the York County Jail.
Jessica Bejarano
On April 6, 2007, police officers in Frederick, Colorado, found 25-year-old Jessica Bejarano dead in her bathroom with a stab wound. Frederick is just north of Denver.
Authorities said her 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son were in the home during the stabbing.
Investigators said DNA evidence led them to Burklund, a former maintenance worker.
“This arrest is the culmination of years of tireless work by our investigators for the unwavering pursuit of justice for Jessica Bejarano and her family,” said Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Schaefer, who was one of the original CBI agents assigned to the case, in a press release. “I want to remind the victims’ families to never give up hope. 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.”
The CBI thanked the Nebraska State Patrol and the York County Sheriff’s Office for their help in the investigation.
An extradition hearing for Burklund is scheduled for Wednesday.
