Man known for real estate con killed elderly neighbor: Cops
Share and Follow

Left: Derek Bollwinkel (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Linda Baran (Dignity Memorial).

An Arizona man with a history of scamming people was arrested after his criminal tendencies allegedly became violent.

Derek Bollwinkel, whose age was not available, was taken into custody on June 2 after he was extradited from Salt Lake City, Utah. According to court documents obtained by KPHO, a local CBS affiliate, Bollwinkel left the state of Arizona after allegedly killing his former neighbor, 82-year-old Linda Baran, in February. Police said that Baran was found shot dead in her car on Feb. 11, and was killed while her hands were in the air as if she was surrendering.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

According to court documents, Bollwinkel was Baran’s neighbor until he was evicted three weeks prior to her death. Detectives stated that Baran had last been seen alive on Feb. 9, and Bollwinkel had reportedly been “aggressively asking her for money.” The suspect was witnessed parking his van near Baran’s property on the day she was killed.

KPNX, a local NBC affiliate, reported that Baran was found after her family requested a welfare check. When police arrived, they found Baran in the back seat of her car, which was in the garage. Court documents obtained by the station stated that Baran suffered a fatal gunshot wound to her left side. Police determined her hands were raised in a “surrender” position when she was shot.

A neighbor saw Bollwinkel pull up at about 6:15 p.m. — he was then reportedly seen running away from the home and back to his van at about 7 p.m. He then drove away. Police said that cellphone data put Bollwinkel at the scene.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Tragic Case: Mother Receives Sentence in Toddler’s Fatal Beating

Left: Sarah Newsom (Wichita County Jail). Right: Scarlette “Olivia” Newsom (GoFundMe). A…

Probation Violator Faces Charges After Abandoning 6-Year-Old Accomplice in Shoplifting Escape

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a startling incident, 35-year-old Joshua Robert…

Florida Man’s Bizarre Escape: Hiding in Porta Potty After Car Theft

Background: News footage of the porta potty where Joshua Mulnix hid (WBBH).…

Father Exits Moving Vehicle Following Daughter’s 911 Call, Authorities Report

Background: Highway 79 in Washington County, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Albert Dale…

Outrage Sparks as Drunk Driver Who Fatally Struck Man Receives Controversial Halfway House Sentence

Inset: Samuel Michael (23rd Judicial District Attorney”s Office). Background: The crosswalk where…

Revealed: Explosive 2011 Epstein Emails Uncover Hidden Links to Trump

Share In a synchronized revelation on Wednesday, House Democrats and the New…

Shocking Tragedy: Caregiver Charged in Fatal Incident Involving Disabled Patient

Inset: Richard McClintic (Sacramento police). Background: McClintic”s apartment in the 2000 block…

82-Year-Old Woman Accused of Killing Husband Released on Bond, Authorities Confirm

Inset left: Harriett Recker (Beaufort County Sheriff”s Office). Inset right: Dennis Recker…