***UPDATE*** On May 28, 2025, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office announced it has arrested a man they believe was Ron Novak’s killer — or, one of them.

Michael Scott Schappert, now 64, was 23 years old when officials say he broke into Novak’s home and murdered him with the help of at least one other person, who still is unidentified. Now, Schappert is being held in the Multnomah County Jail in Oregon, where he was arrested Wednesday morning with help from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Schappert will be extradited to Iowa, where he faces a charge of first-degree murder.

On December 24, 1983, Ronald Novak's bloody and frozen body was found laying face down in an unheated room near his home's back door. Ron’s hands had been bound and tied behind his back. He’d been beaten about the head and body with two hammers and a golf club. He was shot once in the upper right arm with a .22-caliber handgun. Ron's wallet was also missing.
In Ron's bedroom, authorities found a small suitcase holding $32,000 in cash and $7,650 worth of marijuana in a green duffel bag. The autopsy listed three causes of death: the beating, the gunshot and the cold.

December 26, 2013: Investigators have DNA that was on the victim’s clothing that most likely belongs to the suspect they're looking for. The DNA was sent through CODIS and no match was returned.

Anyone who has any information about this case, the identity, or location of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Linn County Sheriff's Office at 319-892-6100. If you would like to remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, please call Crime Stoppers USA at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Please remember that these victims are submitted to us by their family. Our organization does not investigate cases. We advocate, educate, and help raise awareness. Speculation on the details of the case is not helpful on this platform. Comments that are deemed inappropriate and/or potentially hurtful will be removed.