Topline: He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
Published: March 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Left: Darrell Burklund (via York County Nebraska Sheriff's Office); right: Jessica Bejarano (via CBI)
FREDERICK, CO – After nearly 18 years, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has made an arrest in the 2007 homicide of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano.
Authorities announced Darrell Burklund, 72, a former maintenance worker, was arrested on March 14, 2025, in York, Nebraska, in connection with Bejarano’s murder.
He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
On April 6, 2007, Frederick police officers responded to a call at a residence in the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle in Frederick, Colorado, where they discovered the body of Jessica Bejarano in the bathroom with a single stab wound to her chest.
At the time of the incident, her four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were present in the home.
Initially, investigators looked at various suspects, including the victim’s husband, who was later cleared as he was determined to be at work during the time of the crime.
Investigators ultimately obtained DNA evidence that subsequently yielded a potential match to Darrell Burklund.
On March 14, 2025, investigators conducted a follow-up interview with Burklund. Following the interview, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriff’s Detention Center, in York, Nebraska.
At the time of the homicide, Burklund was 54-years-old. He is currently 72.
He will face an extradition hearing this Wednesday before he can be transported back to Colorado to face charges.
“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 CBI Director Chris Schaefer, who was one of the original CBI agents assigned to this case in 2007. “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.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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COLD CASE SOLVED: 72-Year-Old Man Arrested After DNA Results Indicate He Killed Young Mother in 2007
He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
Left: Darrell Burklund (via York County Nebraska Sheriff's Office); right: Jessica Bejarano (via CBI)
FREDERICK, CO – After nearly 18 years, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has made an arrest in the 2007 homicide of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano.
Authorities announced Darrell Burklund, 72, a former maintenance worker, was arrested on March 14, 2025, in York, Nebraska, in connection with Bejarano’s murder.
He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
On April 6, 2007, Frederick police officers responded to a call at a residence in the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle in Frederick, Colorado, where they discovered the body of Jessica Bejarano in the bathroom with a single stab wound to her chest.
At the time of the incident, her four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were present in the home.
Initially, investigators looked at various suspects, including the victim’s husband, who was later cleared as he was determined to be at work during the time of the crime.
Investigators ultimately obtained DNA evidence that subsequently yielded a potential match to Darrell Burklund.
On March 14, 2025, investigators conducted a follow-up interview with Burklund. Following the interview, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriff’s Detention Center, in York, Nebraska.
At the time of the homicide, Burklund was 54-years-old. He is currently 72.
He will face an extradition hearing this Wednesday before he can be transported back to Colorado to face charges.
“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 CBI Director Chris Schaefer, who was one of the original CBI agents assigned to this case in 2007. “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.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
COLD CASE SOLVED: 72-Year-Old Man Arrested After DNA Results Indicate He Killed Young Mother in 2007
He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 21, 2025 7:00 am ET
Left: Darrell Burklund (via York County Nebraska Sheriff's Office); right: Jessica Bejarano (via CBI)
FREDERICK, CO – After nearly 18 years, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has made an arrest in the 2007 homicide of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano.
Authorities announced Darrell Burklund, 72, a former maintenance worker, was arrested on March 14, 2025, in York, Nebraska, in connection with Bejarano’s murder.
He has been booked on a single count of Second Degree Murder.
On April 6, 2007, Frederick police officers responded to a call at a residence in the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle in Frederick, Colorado, where they discovered the body of Jessica Bejarano in the bathroom with a single stab wound to her chest.
At the time of the incident, her four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were present in the home.
Initially, investigators looked at various suspects, including the victim’s husband, who was later cleared as he was determined to be at work during the time of the crime.
Investigators ultimately obtained DNA evidence that subsequently yielded a potential match to Darrell Burklund.
On March 14, 2025, investigators conducted a follow-up interview with Burklund. Following the interview, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriff’s Detention Center, in York, Nebraska.
At the time of the homicide, Burklund was 54-years-old. He is currently 72.
He will face an extradition hearing this Wednesday before he can be transported back to Colorado to face charges.
“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 CBI Director Chris Schaefer, who was one of the original CBI agents assigned to this case in 2007. “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.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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