ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A 70-year-old suspect was arrested for suspected murder after a decades-long investigation by authorities.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office said that Dennis Lee Bowman was arrested on Friday, November 22nd 2019. He’s being held in custody for the 1980 murder of 25-year-old Kathleen Doyle.
Police found Doyle murdered at her Norfolk, Virginia home on September 11th 1980. Michigan State Police say she was from a Military family, her father being a naval officer and her husband a U.S. Navy pilot. Her spouse was deployed at the time of the homicide.
The Allegan County Sheriffs office and Michigan State Police worked with their counterparts in Norfolk to close the homicide case and determine the suspect.
Norfolk Chief of Police said in a written statement:
“This 39-year-long investigation demonstrates the Norfolk Police Department’s commitment to pursue justice for victims and their families no matter how long it takes. No victim is ever forgotten. I would like to recognize the women and men of NCIS for their commitment to this case. NCIS has been partnered with us from the beginning of this investigation, and their contributions throughout the years have been instrumental in solving this case,” Norfolk Chief of Police Larry Boone said. “I would also like to thank the Allegan County, Michigan Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Ottawa County, Michigan Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Police, for their assistance.”
The suspect is also the father of a 14-year-old who went missing decades ago. Bowman’s adopted daughter Aundria disappeared on March 11, 1989 from her Hamilton Township home.
There are no details on whether Dennis Lee Bowman had anything to do with his daughter’s disappearance.
Bowman is currently being held in Michigan, awaiting extradition to Norfolk, Virginia.
