An arrest has been made in the murder of Ron Novak from over 40 years ago. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Linn County Attorney’s Office held a news conference on the cold case Wednesday afternoon. It was announced that deputies arrested 64-year-old Michael Shappert of Fairview, Oregon. A news release states that Shappert is charged with first-degree murder and premeditation. Investigators say they connected him to the case through blood and touch-trace DNA located on Novak’s clothing and a hammer used in the attack. According to investigators, someone murdered Novak at his home on Rolling Acres Road in rural Walker on December 23rd, 1983. They found his hands tied behind his back and said someone had beaten Novak with hammers and golf clubs before shooting him. Investigators did not release a motive, but say he was likely a dealer. In his home, they discovered $32,000 in cash and about $7,000 worth of marijuana. Schappert is currently in the Multnomah County, Oregon jail awaiting extradition.
