(Polk County, IA) -- A Polk County jury has convicted a man of his roommate's murder. Police say 51-year-old Surfan Boens called 9-1-1 January 13th, saying he found his brother unresponsive in their Fleur Drive hotel room. First responders found 45-year-old Russell McKeehan dead of gunshots. Witnesses told police they heard gunshots in the room a few hours earlier. Detectives say evidence shows Boens left and came back to the room several times. Witnesses also said he admitted doing something "really bad."
Mr. McKeehan’s death was the second homicide of 2023.
First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Kevin Bell and Amanda Johnson, with assistance from Lindsay Scott. Detective Spencer Taylor and other officers with the Des Moines Police Department investigated the case.