Clinton man arrested in connection with 44-year-old Washington state killing

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Ark. – Investigators say a 1980 Washington state cold case is one step closer to resolution with an arrest in Arkansas on Aug. 20.

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office announced deputies had arrested 65-year-old Kenneth Kundert of Clinton in connection with the 44-year-old killing Dorothy "Dottie" Marie Silzel.

According to Sheriff Eric Koonce, authorities from Washington suspected Kundert in connection with the February 1980 killing of 30-year-old Silzel in her condominium. Her death was ruled a homicide after a coroner’s autopsy.

Koonce said the Kent Police Department asked for the VBCSO’s assistance in the investigation. Deputies and investigators with the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force were able to work with Kent officers, and a VBCSO investigator was able to recover a cigarette butt discarded by Kundert.

Officials were able to use the cigarette butt for a DNA sample that linked Kundert to Silzel. Subsequently, Kundert was taken into custody and is being held in the Van Buren County Detention Center, awaiting extradition.

Kundert is currently facing a single charge of first-degree murder, according to court records, which also show Kundert has a $3 million bond and has waived extradition to Washington.

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