Arizona – In a disturbing case, D. Bollwinkel, a 56-year-old man with a criminal history, has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and burglary in connection with the death of his 82-year-old neighbor, L. Baran.
Bollwinkel, who was previously known for housing scams and forgery, is accused of killing Baran and using her debit card to withdraw thousands of dollars from her account shortly after her death.
The Murder of L. Baran
Bollwinkel’s arrest stems from the February 11 murder of Baran, whose body was discovered in the back seat of her car inside her garage in Arizona.
According to court documents, Baran had been shot in the left side of her torso, and evidence at the scene indicated a struggle, including disarranged furniture near the front door.
Bollwinkel, who had recently been evicted from a property near Baran’s home, had previously been her neighbor.
A Pattern of Harassment
Prior to her death, Baran had reportedly been the target of harassment from Bollwinkel, who allegedly sought money from her. Witnesses reported seeing Bollwinkel’s van near Baran’s home on the evening she disappeared, and one witness saw him running from her house shortly before her body was discovered.
Baran was last seen alive on February 9, and her family, unable to reach her, requested a welfare check on February 11. Police arrived at her home to find her lifeless body in her car. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as a fatal gunshot wound.
Robbery Following the Murder
In a chilling development, just 30 minutes after the murder, surveillance footage showed Bollwinkel attempting to withdraw $10,000 from an ATM using Baran’s debit card.
He successfully withdrew $4,000 before fleeing the scene. Cellphone data also placed him at the scene during the time of the murder, further implicating him in the crime.
A Violent Past
Bollwinkel’s criminal history includes convictions for forgery and criminal impersonation, with a particularly notable case in 2014 where he was involved in a consumer fraud scheme. He and his wife were accused of scamming individuals through a fake house-sitting program.
In 2015, they were hit with a $2.1 million judgment for the scam. Bollwinkel had previously served time following a 2008 arrest in Avondale, Arizona, for similar offenses.
Now, Bollwinkel faces the most serious charges of his life. He is currently held in the county jail on a $1 million cash-only bond. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
A Community in Shock
The violent and calculated nature of Baran’s death has left her family and the local community in shock. Loved ones remembered Baran as a kind and generous woman, and the thought that she was killed over a few thousand dollars has only deepened the heartbreak.
The Legal Proceedings
Bollwinkel has not yet entered a plea, and a court date for his preliminary hearing has not been publicly disclosed. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and further charges could be brought if additional evidence surfaces or if other individuals are found to be involved.
This case marks the tragic culmination of a long history of fraud and deception, ultimately ending in the cold-blooded killing of an elderly woman.