DNA Evidence Provides Breakthrough in Cold Case Murder of Young Colorado Mother

DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a Nebraska man for the 2007 murder of a Colorado mother of two.

Last week in York, Nebraska, Darrell Burklund, aged 72, was taken into custody and formally accused of the murder of Jessica Bajarano on April 6, 2007, in Frederick, Colorado, as confirmed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Bajarano was discovered in her home’s bathroom with a single stab wound to her chest.

At the time, authorities found her then-4-year-old daughter and then-2-year-old son in the home.

During the initial investigation, various suspects were considered, including Bajarano’s husband; however, he was later ruled out after detectives verified his alibi of being at work during the time of the murder.

Darrell Burklund, who worked as a maintenance worker at the time, was implicated due to DNA evidence. Following an interrogation in Nebraska, he was taken into custody and is now awaiting an extradition hearing scheduled for this week.

“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.”

Cece Merrow, Bajarano’s mother, said thanked investigators for the work on the case.

“Chris Schaefer, who was on Jessica’s case from day one, made a promise that he would not retire until Jessica’s case was solved. He has kept his promise, ” said Merrow. “There were so many twists and turns in her case, but we always had faith in the CBI.”