Clarence Dean Pedersen

More information has been released on a suspicious death investigation in Washington.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety at about 7:56 a.m. Wednesday the Washington Police Department responded to a 911 call reference to a suspicious death in the apartment complex located at 601 West Adams Street. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was then called to assist with the investigation. The decedent has been identified as 70-year-old Ed E. Jones of Washington.

At around 10 p.m. Wednesday evening officers arrested 64-year-old Clarence Dean Pedersen of 601 W. Adams Street Apt. 10 on a charge of first degree murder in connection to the death of Jones. Jones had been found deceased with an apparent stab wound to his upper torso. Authorities also located a large fixed blade lying on Jones’ lap with apparent  blood on the knife. Pederson, Jones roommate, was interviewed as part of the investigation. Pederson confirmed owning a knife similar in appearance to the knife found at the crime scene. Authorities located a handwritten note among Pedersen’s belongings, which stated, “Kill Ed.” Pedersen is in the Washington County Jail and is scheduled for an initial appearance later today. First Degree Murder is a scheduled Class A felony and carries a mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Court records show a Clarence D. Peterson was convicted of murdering his brother-in-law in southwest Iowa on December 30, 1978.