Branford Police said they have solved the mysterious disappearance of a local man on Memorial Day weekend 2013 and charged his former neighbor with the murder.
Just days after John Deveau, 61, went missing, police searched the home of his neighbor Thomas Malinka.
Inside Malinka's home, police say they found pain killers in Deveau's name. They also found his credit cards and car keys inside the engine compartment of Malinka's car.
Police also found a garden hose at Malinka's residence with a "red-like" substance on it.
Police have charged Malinka, 44, with the murder of Deveau
Malinka, who is prison for other crimes, was arraigned in New Haven Superior court this morning and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
"I was just starting to get to know him," said neighbor Dean Bernat. "He seemed like a regular guy."
The two men were neighbors at 33 Crouch Road. Deveau was Malinka's landlord. According to court paperwork, Malinka was angry after a deal to buy Deveau's property fell trough.
Police issued the Silver Alert for Deveau on June 6, 2013.
Branford detective worked closely with Connecticut State Police and the New Haven Office of the State’s Attorney.
“This has been a very difficult case for the detectives, due to their continued perseverance they have been able to link Thomas Malinka to this crime,” Police Chief Kevin Halloran said in a statement.
Police still do not know where Deveau's remains are but they say that they have enough DNA evidence to connect Malinka to the disappearance of his neighbor.
"It's kind of a relief that it's finally come to an end cause we expected he was the guy all along so we're kind of happy it's wrapped up," said Bernat.
