'Kill Ed': Man Wrote Note Reminding Himself To Kill Roommate, Police Say

An Iowa man who wrote a to-do-list reminding him to “Kill Ed,” before allegedly stabbing his roommate to death, police say.

Clarence Pedersen, 64, was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday after police discovered the body of his roommate with a stab wound to his chest, according to a statement by Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Ed Jones, the 70-year-old roommate, had been first discovered by Pedersen’s caretaker, who came over to make breakfast but instead found a man dead in the living room, the Gazette in Cedar Rapids reported.

Police say they found a large knife on Jones’ lap covered in what appeared to be blood, according to a police statement. Pedersen later confirmed to police that he owned a knife that matched the description of the one found at the crime scene, authorities said.

While searching the apartment, police found a note that said “Kill Ed,” and a second that said “Kill Yourself. Suicide,” the Gazette wrote.

In 1979, Pedersen faced similar charges and was found guilty of first degree murder after killing his brother-in-law, Kent Nelson, the Gazette reported. Pedersen refused a lawyer and instead represented himself in court.

The charges were overturned two years later after Pedersen appealed and the Iowa Supreme Court found that he was mentally unfit for trial.

In court records obtained by the Gazette, the court mentioned Pedersen’s history living in “mental institutions, use of controlled substances, mutilation of livestock and a nomad existence.”

The morning of the alleged murder, Pedersen left his apartment to buy coffee and cigarettes and he also stopped at the office of Optimae Life Service, which provides assistance to people with mental health, the Gazette reported.

Pedersen is currently being housed in Washington County Jail where he faces a life sentence if convicted.

[Photo: Washington County Jail]