An Ogallala man is awaiting extradition to California after authorities charged him in connection with the 1978 murder of his wife.

According to Sgt. Jason Hail, with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (California), Butte county authorities have been conducting an ongoing investigation in the disappearance of Deborah Diane Owens.

Owens was reported missing by her husband, Marvin Gail Owens, now 62, on November 21, 1978.

Hail said Deborah was living with her husband, in Oroville, California, when she was last seen.

To date, no one, including Deborah’s now grown children and other relatives, have seen her.

According to Hail, Marvin Owens has long been suspected of killing Deborah and disposing of her body.

Hail said former Butte County Sheriff, Perry Reniff, has been working on cold case homicides and spearheaded this investigation.

As a result of Reniff’s investigation, the Butte County District Attorney has filed a felony arrest warrant charging Marvin Owens with Deborah’s murder.

Marvin, who has been living in Ogallala, was arrested by the Keith County Sheriff’s Office.

He is currently being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center.  Hail said it is unknown when Owens will be extradited to California.

Authorities believe Marvin may also be connected to the disappearance of another woman, Essie Margarette Hiett, who also disappeared in 1978.

The investigation is ongoing.