Cold case development: Officials to talk Monday about arrest made in murder of Berit Beck

FOND DU LAC (WITI) -- Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested Dennis Brantner for the 1990 homicide of Berit Beck.

61-year-old Brantner was taken into custody on Friday morning, March 27th on an arrest warrant for first degree murder -- a year after he was named a suspect in the case. Brantner was arrested at the Kenosha County Courthouse.

Berit Beck

Beck was 18 years old when she disappeared while traveling from Sturtevant to Appleton. Her body was found in a ditch in Fond du Lac County.

For decades, Beck's family experienced unthinkable pain as police continued to search for her killer.

In April of 2014, there was finally a lead.

Dennis Brantner

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office announced new evidence revealing Brantner was in the van Beck was driving when she disappeared.

Authorities say Brantner's co-worker told authorities the 61-year-old had a photo of Beck in his workspace.

Brantner was in court on Friday for an unrelated charge of felon in possession of a firearm.

More details are expected to be released in this case on Monday. A news conference has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Fond du Lac.

The Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.

Berit Beck’s family has been notified of Brantner’s arrest. Beck’s parents Dave and Diane, their son Ben, and the entire Beck family have issued the following statement: