U.S.

Iowa Man Turns Himself In For 1998 Murder

Thirty-three-year-old Clinton Mackey turned himself in earlier in the week for a murder he says he committed in Indiana back in 1998.

Iowa Man Turns Himself In For 1998 Murder
WTHI
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An Iowa man has admitted to killing an Indiana woman more than 15 years ago. And he turned himself in. 

KWWL reports 33-year-old Clinton Mackey from Vinton, Iowa showed up at a local sheriff's office earlier in the week. Mackey was extradited to Indiana Thursday and formally charged with murder Friday.

Mackey, then a teenager, says he killed 19-year-old Erika Case at a home in West Terre Haute, Ind. back in 1998. Mackey reportedly moved to Iowa about 10 years after the murder. (Via WRTV)

Case's sister found her dead the morning of September 6. Case was stabbed with a kitchen knife more than 30 times and died from a stab wound to her neck. (Via WTHI)

Police in Iowa told KCRG Mackey said he was ready to come forward and admit his crime. Neighbors and others who knew Mackey told the station they're surprised the husband and father could do something like this.

"And when I seen his picture, I go oh my God. I couldn't believe it. You just couldn't see it in the man."
"Played games with the kids outside. Was very good with the kids. I mean, he was a good neighbor."

WTHI points out a Vigo County captain reopened the cold case last year with the help of investigators from the TNT show "Cold Justice" who specialize in investigating cold cases.

Fox News notes Case's brother said in a statement the family is "grateful that we finally have closure."

Police said Mackey had been a person of interest ever since the murder happened, but there was never enough evidence for him to be arrested. A trial for Mackey is set to start in July. He's currently being held in Indiana without bond.