After nearly 18 years, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has made an arrest in the 2007 homicide of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano.
Darrell Burklund, 72, a former maintenance worker, was arrested on March 14, 2025, in York, Nebraska, in connection with Jessica’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 Bajarano in the bathroom. She had suffered 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.
The charge against Mr. Burklund is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Jessica Bejarano (Courtesy of Cece Merrow)