Man killed his roommate at Fleur Drive hotel

Des Moines police have charged a man with first-degree murder, claiming he shot a man to death with whom he shared a room at a hotel on Fleur Drive.

Police arrested and charged Surfun Julise Boens, 50, of Des Moines with first-degree murder on Friday after they discovered a deceased man in a hotel room earlier in the day whose death they believed was “not natural.”

Officers and fire department personnel found the body of the 45-year-old in a room at a hotel at 4817 Fleur Drive near Des Moines International Airport early Friday after a 911 call reported a person bleeding and in apparent cardiac arrest, according to a police news release.

In an updated release Friday evening, police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said Boens lived with the victim at the hotel in the room where he allegedly shot him to death.

More:Police investigating Des Moines’ second homicide of 2023 after man found dead in hotel room

Police connected Boens to the crime through statements he made to other people, according to Parizek. Surveillance footage also appeared to show Boens to be the last person with the victim before he died.

Parizek said the department will release the name of the victim tomorrow, after notifications to family have been completed.

This is the city’s second homicide of 2023.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Police charge suspect with first-degree murder in Friday’s homicide