DENVER (KDVR) — A suspect was arrested in connection to the murder of a woman in Colorado after an almost 18-year-old cold case.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Darrell Burklund, 72, was arrested on Friday in York, Nebraska in connection to the murder of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano. 

The bureau said investigators obtained DNA evidence that led to a potential match to Burklund. After a follow-up interview on Friday, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriff’s Detention Center and faces a charge of second-degree murder. 

This comes in connection to an almost 18-year-old case that took place on April 6, 2007, when the bureau said police officers discovered the body of Bejarano in a bathroom of a home on the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle in Frederick.

The bureau said she had suffered from a stab wound to her chest and at the time of the incident, her four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were in the home. Burklund, a former maintenance worker, was 54 years old at the time of Bejarano’s murder.

After initially investigating various suspects, including the victim’s husband who was cleared, the case went cold. That was until DNA evidence sparked Burklund’s arrest.

“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. “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.”

Bejarano’s mother, Cece Merrow, said Schaefer refused to retire until this case was solved. Merrow said that the director kept that promise. Now, Burklund will face an extradition hearing on Wednesday before he will be transported back to Colorado to face charges.