WASHINGTON, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- Authorities say Clarence Pedersen, 64, from Washington, was taken into custody pursuant to an arrest warrant for Murder in the First Degree around 10 p.m. July 11.
Earlier in the day, Washington police responded to an apartment complex regarding a suspicious death.
Authorities found Ed Jones, 70, in the apartment with what seemed to be a stab wound to the upper torso.
Pedersen, Jones' roommate, was interviewed as part of the investigation. Pedersen confirmed he owned a knife similar to the one found at the crime scene. Authorities also say they found a handwritten note that said "Kill Ed."
Pedersen is currently being held in the Washington County Jail and is scheduled to make an appearance on July 12.
First Degree Murder is a Class A felony and carries a mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Pedersen is being held on a cash-only $1,000,000 bond.
This investigation is being done by the Washington Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County Attorney’s Office.