UPDATE—The Estherville Police Department and Emmet County Sherrif’s Office have released more details about Wednesday’s early morning arrest of two suspects in a murder investigation.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, the body of 20-year-old David McDowell of Estherville was found alongside a road five miles northeast of Estherville.
A joint investigation with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) resulted in the execution of two search warrants simultaneously at about 5:45 a.m. in Rockwell City and Estherville.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Tactical Team served the warrant in Rockwell City and after the residence was searched and additional evidence seized, 18-year-old CeJay Alexander Van Der Wilt was arrested and transported to the Buena Vista County jail.
The HEAT, High risk Entry and Arrest Team, was utilized to serve the warrant in Estherville, where 19-year-old Connor Jay Uhde was arrested and transported to the Emmet County jail.
Both men are being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder.
The Rockwell City Police Department, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol assisted in the investigation.
Original positing:
ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (RI) — Two teens have been charged with murder in the investigation of a body found Saturday along a roadway northeast of Estherville.
Authorities executed simultaneous search warrants early Wednesday morning at homes in Rockwell City and Estherville which resulted in 19-year-old Connor Jay Uhde and 18-year-old CeJay Alexander Van Der Wilt being arrested on first-degree murder charges.
The victim was later identified as 20-year-old David McDowell of Estherville.
The cause of death has not been released.
Uhde was taken to the Emmet County Jail and Van Der Wilt to Buena Vista County where both were held without bond.