Arrest Made in 1983 Eastern Iowa Cold Case

1983 COLD CASE MURDER ARREST

WALKER — On May 28, 2025, Linn County, Iowa sheriff’s deputies, assisted by deputies from the Multnomah County, Oregon Sheriff’s Office and agents from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrested Michael S. Schappert,…

A man from Oregon was charged with a brutal murder in 1983, a crime that remained unresolved for more than four decades. The investigation was reactivated thanks to new DNA tests.

Iowa cold case cracked more than 40 years after young man was killed following DNA breakthrough

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (WALKER, Iowa) — More than 40 years after a 24-year-old man was killed in rural Iowa, a suspect has now been arrested in connection to his murder through DNA research, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Department. Michael Schappert, 64, was arrested on Wednesday for the 1983 murder of Ronald Lee Novak, who was brutally killed on Dec. 23, 1983, in rural Walker, Iowa, officials announced on Wednesday. At the …

Arrest made in 1983 eastern Iowa murder case - Radio Iowa

An Oregon man is awaiting extradition to Iowa where he’ll face murder charges in a cold case from late December of 1983. Authorities say 64-year-old Michael Schappert was arrested on the West Coast on Wednesday in the killing of Ronald Novak at his home in rural Linn County more than 41 years ago. The victim’s […]

Oregon man arrested for murder in 1983 Linn County cold case

LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) - Linn County Sheriff Deputies announced they made an arrest Wednesday in a 1983 cold case.

Arrest made in 1983 eastern Iowa cold case

Investigators say they connected the suspect to the case through blood and touch-trace DNA located on the victim's clothing and a hammer used in the attack.