The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Michigan State Police Friday arrested a 70-year-old Salem Township man in connection with a murder in Norfolk, Va., in 1980.
Dennis Lee Bowman is being incarcerated in Michigan for the murder of Kathleen Doyle, 25, in Norfolk on Sept. 11, 1980. He is awaiting extradition to Virginia to face charges.
The arrest in the result of cooperation among the Norfolk Police Homicide/Cold Case Section, NCIS, the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police, Wayland post.
Kathleen O’Brien Doyle, daughter of a naval officer and wife of a U.S. Navy pilot who was deployed at the time, was found murdered 39 years ago and since then Norfolk Police detectives and NCIS agents have combined cold case efforts to bring Mrs. Doyle’s killer to justice.
Norfolk Chief of Police Larry Boone said, “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.
“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.”
Bowman was taken into custody at a Burnips gas station. Authorities said a large contingent of Allegan County sheriff’s deputies and Michigan State Police troopers searched Bowman’s 136th Avenue home.
Investigators did not talk about a motive or whether Doyle and Bowman knew each other.
It was confirmed, however, that Bowman was the adoptive father of a girl who went missing more than 30 years ago. Aundria Bowman, 14, disappeared on March 11, 1989. It is not known whether Dennis Bowman had anything to do with his adopted daughter’s disappearance.
Aundria’s biological mother, Cathy Terkanian, who gave her up when she was 5 months old, learned about her daughter’s disappearance about a decade ago and indicated she suspected Dennis Bowman, who has a criminal record dating back to 1980 that includes charges for assault, burglary and sexual assault.
Bowman was convicted of sexual assault os a 19-year-old woman in 1981 and he was convicted of felony breaking and entering in 1999.
Allegan County Sheriff Frank Baker the focus of the investigation remains on the Virginia cold case, but if any link can be found to the disappearance of Aundria, it will be examined.