Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety say an arrest has been made in connection with the death of an eastern Iowa man. At around 10-p.m. Wednesday, 64-year old Clarence Dean Pedersen, of Washington, Iowa, was taken into custody on a felony warrant for Murder in the First Degree. Earlier that same day, Washington Police Department responded to a 911 call reference a suspicious death in an apartment complex located at 601 West Adams.  Upon arrival, authorities located 70-year old Ed Jones within the apartment, deceased, with an apparent stab wound to the upper torso.

Authorities also located a large fixed blade lying on Jones’ lap with apparent blood on the knife.  Pedersen, Jones’ roommate, was interviewed as part of the investigation.  Pedersen confirmed owning a knife similar in appearance to the knife found in the crime scene.  Additionally, authorities located a handwritten note among Pedersen’s belongings, which stated, “Kill Ed”.  Jones is currently housed in the Washington County Jail and is scheduled for an initial appearance later today (Thursday).  First Degree Murder carries a mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

This investigation is cooperative effort by the Washington Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County Attorney’s Office.