VAN BUREN -- A man, who served nearly three decades behind bars for a murder in New York City, is now facing murder charges in the death of a Van Buren woman.
Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh said Rebecca Dethlefs, 56, was found dead at 3020 Village Blvd. South around 2:30 pm on Friday by after a maintenance worker said he could smell a foul odor coming from her apartment.
Walsh said Dethlefs' body was found fairly decomposed -- indicating it had been there for several days.
Robert Burger, 67, is believed to be her husband and was found by State Police in Middletown, New York along with Dethlefs' car. Neighbors told deputies Burger had not been seen in several days and was likely there visiting friends or family.
He was arraigned on a second degree murder charge Saturday night in Van Buren Town Court. According to court documents, Burger is accused of killing Dethlefs at an unknown time on December 23rd.
Burger, dressed in all-white, said little in court -- but told the judge he has lived at 3020 Village Blvd South for the last two or three months. Before that he told the judge he lived in the Watertown area.
When asked if Burger wanted to call someone, he said, "No, there's no one to call."
Burger has been remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 6th.
Sheriff Walsh said the Onondaga County Medical Examiner is still working to determine the exact cause of death. Walsh would not speculate on how the woman died.
Burger has a history of violence.
Sheriff Walsh said the 67-year-old served 28 years after being convicted of murder back 1960's in New York City.
He was released on parole in the early 1990's, according to Walsh.
The Sheriff said Burger and Dethlefs are both from New York City.
Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputies originally were called out to the Village Green Apartment Complex on Wednesday, December 28th after co-workers became concerned when Dethlefs did not show up to work for several days.
Walsh said detectives interview several neighbors who were under the impression that Dethlefs left town for the holidays. Walsh said his deputies had no reason to enter the apartment at that point.
Dethlefs worked as a traveling nurse, according to the Sheriff. Walsh said he does not know how long she has lived in Van Buren.
