PHOENIX, AZ – An Arizona man with a criminal track record has been apprehended on charges of first-degree murder after allegedly turning violent, leading to the death of an elderly woman.
Derek Bollwinkel was arrested on June 2 after being extradited from Salt Lake City, Utah. This follows an investigation into the February death of his former 82-year-old neighbor, Linda Baran. Court documents reveal that Baran was found shot in her car with her hands raised, seemingly in a gesture of surrender.
Bollwinkel had been Baran’s neighbor until an eviction forced him out just three weeks before her death. Investigators indicate that Bollwinkel had repeatedly pressured Baran for money. On the day of the incident, Bollwinkel was spotted parking near Baran’s home, with evidence suggesting he was present at the crime scene.
A welfare check requested by Baran’s family led police to her lifeless body in the back seat of her car, parked in her garage. It was determined that Baran suffered a fatal gunshot wound on her left side, and forensic analysis suggested her hands were raised when the shot was fired.
Witness accounts placed Bollwinkel near Baran’s home on the evening in question; he was observed fleeing the scene shortly after arriving. Additionally, cellphone data corroborated his presence at the crime scene during the timeframe of Baran’s death.
Further implicating him was the usage of Baran’s debit card. About 20 minutes post-incident, Bollwinkel was caught on camera attempting a $10,000 withdrawal from an ATM. Although he only succeeded in withdrawing $4,000, this evidence linked him further to the murder.
Details surrounding Bollwinkel’s capture in Salt Lake City remain scarce, but authorities managed his arrest upon his return to Phoenix. He is currently held in Maricopa County Jail with a $1 million cash bond, facing charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and credit card fraud.
Bollwinkel’s criminal history is extensive, involving a previous conviction related to a fraudulent housing scheme conducted alongside his wife. This scam resulted in prison time for offenses like forgery and criminal impersonation. The current allegations against him mark an escalation in his criminal activities, now including violence.