March 28, 2024

Charles City man faces murder charge in Newton homicide

Berber killed in his home in March

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A Charles City man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Newton man who was found inside of his rural home in March.
Randy L. Linderman, 52, of Charles City is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of 61-year-old Jose Ramirez Berber that occurred March 6, according to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
According to the Iowa State Medical Examiner, the autopsy results determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Berber was found deceased after officials received a 911 call to 4252 Maple Street in reference to an unresponsive individual.
When law enforcement and Newton Fire and EMS arrived, they found Berber lying on the floor unresponsive.
Linderman was arrested Thursday morning in Charles City.
Michael Motsinger, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation, declined releasing further information at this time.
"These agencies have been working hard the last four months," Motsinger said. "We are glad to finaly have an arrest."
Berber’s neighbors and friends described him as “neighborly” and “super friendly.” According to one neighbor, Berber had lived in the home for 4.5 years.
The arrest is a result of a joint investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Charles City Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.