A New Mexico man accused of sexually assaulting and killing 79-year-old Viola Hagenkord, whose body was found in her Anaheim apartment in 1980, has been arrested, police said on Friday, April 30.
New Mexico State police arrested Andre William Lepere, 64, at his home in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Wednesday. He was being held without bail as he awaits an extradition hearing, Anaheim police said.
Orange County prosecutors have filed a murder charge against Lepere.
On Feb. 18, 1980, a neighbor concerned about Hagenkord’s whereabouts entered her apartment in the 2500 block of West Winston Road and found her dead.
Over the years, homicide detectives attempted to solve the case but failed to identify a suspect.
Detectives resumed the investigation in September 2020 and worked with the county’s lab team, leading to Lepere’s arrest.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Source: Orange County Register
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