APPLETON, Wis.- It's been a long search but the Appleton Police Department announced Monday they may finally have a lead in a decade old murder case.
"We have not referred any charges at this time, but we can confirm a person of interest has been developed during the course of the investigation," said Appleton Police Department assistant chief, Todd Olm.
56-year-old Connie Boelter was found murdered in her home on November 15, 2006.
More than 500 documents, obtained by USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin shows investigators have carried out 21 search warrants, court orders and subpoenas through the investigation. Almost one third of those have been directed toward a person of interest from the Wolf River Community Bank in Hortonville, where Boelter used to work.
"We also want to make it very clear this is only a portion of the evidence we have gathered. There are other parts to this investigation we will not be able to release at this time," said Olm.
According to the report, police tracked the man's car for 3 months and took his fingerprints to compare with those found at the crime scene. Investigators also did a search of the suspect's home. They say according to the evidence, Boelter appeared to know her killer.
"The Appleton Police Department thanks Connie's family for their patience and ongoing support. They have shown amazing strength, going through a nightmare no one should have to experience," said Olm.
NBC26 is choosing not to name the person of interest until he's been formally charged, but neighbors who live near where the murder happened say they're feeling better about their neighborhood now.
"Really good, I'm happy that they found him," said Lily Kerrigan who lives just a few doors down from where this happened.
NBC26 also spoke with the President and CEO of the Hortonville Wolf River Community Bank, who has confirmed this person of interest has resigned from his position on the bank's board of directors. He also said the bank has been cooperating with the Appleton Police Department the entire time and will continue to do so as this case unfolds.
