GOLDEN, Colo. —

Three teenagers have been arrested on first-degree murder charges in connection to the death of a 20-year-old Colorado woman, who was struck by a rock that investigators say was thrown through her windshield while she was driving.

Alexa Bartell, of Arvada, was talking on the phone with a friend when she was hit by the rock northwest of Denver on April 19. After the call went silent, the friend tracked Bartell's location with a phone app and found the woman dead in her car, which had crashed into a field, said Karlyn Tilley, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Bartell was killed by the rock and not the crash, according to Tilley.

Joseph Koenig, Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, all 18, were arrested at their homes in Arvada, Colorado, overnight Tuesday and Wednesday. Online jail records did not indicate if they have attorneys who can speak on their behalf.

Investigators believe the attack is linked to several other similar incidents in which rocks between 4 and 6 inches in diameter and weighing 3 to 5 pounds were thrown at cars in the area the night of Bartell's death.

The attacks started just after 10 p.m. and involved at least seven vehicles. In addition to Bartell's death, two drivers suffered minor injuries.

It's unclear which of the teens was driving during the attacks, but all three are suspected of throwing rocks at vehicles.

Investigators say mobile device forensics and tips from the public helped lead them to the suspects, who could face additional charges.

DETROIT — Former Michigan State University basketball star, Keith Appling, has been charged with first-degree murder in the deadly shooting of a 66-year-old man in Detroit on May 22.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced Monday that Appling had been charged with murder, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of felony firearm.

Appling's girlfriend, Natalie Banister, 28, is also being charged in connection to the case.

Police say the shooting happened around 7 p.m. in the 13240 block of Whitcomb Street.

Officers arrived at the home and found the victim, 66-year-old Clyde Edmonds, on the front lawn with multiple gunshot wounds.

Edmonds is related to Appling through marriage.

An investigation found that an argument over a handgun led to a deadly shooting.

Appling then fled the scene and was later arrested. Appling's girlfriend allegedly drove the getaway car.

She's now charged with one count of accessory after the fact and one count of lying to a peace officer.

Arraignments for Appling and Banister will be announced soon.

Appling played for Michigan State from 2010 to 2014. He also played briefly for the Orlando Magic.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — On the evening of Aug. 14, 1983, a Pottawattamie County deputy received a call saying a dead body had been located near a bridge three miles north of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

That body belonged to Firozeh Dehghanpour, an Iranian exchange student studying at the University of Nebraska Omaha. She bled to death from several stab wounds.

Several items were located and recovered around her, including a bra, a pair of underwear, a blouse and notebooks.

"Over the next several months, several agencies worked together to try to find Firozeh's killer. Unfortunately, the case went cold; however, the evidence that was collected in 1983 had been stored and preserved at the sheriff's office in case new information ever came to light," said Sgt. Jim Doty of Pottawattamie County.

In the fall of 2020, the case was reopened. While reviewing the reports, authorities found evidence that could benefit from DNA analysis.

"In March of this year, we received a DNA hit on Bud Leroy Christensen. Then we focused on our investigation on Christensen, and without getting into too many details, we were able to develop more evidence that linked Christensen to her murder," Doty said.

Ultimately, Chief Deputy Jeff Theulan says this case revolves around one question.

"This really goes back to how you define justice," Theulan said.

Advancements in forensic science have allowed for more insight when it comes to cold cases, helping families and friends seek the truth they deserve.

"Let Firozeh's case be an example that it is never too late to seek answers," Crime Scene Technician Hadley Mikovec said.

Authorities are looking for more information about Bud Christensen over the past 38 years. If you have anything to share, please call 712-890-2224. If you are hoping for anonymity, call CRIME STOPPERS at 712-328-7867.

Jesse Cox, M.D., Ph.D. is the director of the molecular forensics laboratory and tissue typing laboratory at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Below, he explains advancements in DNA testing in an extended interview with KMTV Digital Content Manager Katrina Markel.

Jesse Cox from UNMC explains how the lab works with law enforcement

This story was originally published by Isabella Basco at KMTV.