A former Idaho governor candidate has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to the kidnapping and slaying of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in 1984. 

Steve D. Pankey was arrested at his home in the 6000 block of Borgnine Lane in Meridian, Idaho, shortly after 9:30 a.m. Monday, Stephany Galbreaith, the public information officer for the Meridian Police Department told The Denver Gazette.

Pankey has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and two counts of crime of violence, and is being held with no bond in Ada County jail in Idaho, according to the indictment. 

“Today’s press conference is 36 years in the making, for over three decades the disappearance of Jonelle Matthews has left our community with many unanswered questions, and a void that has not been filled,” said Greeley Police Chief Mark Jones on the footsteps of the Weld County Courthouse in Greeley.

“With the arrest of Steve Pankey for the murder of Jonelle Matthews, some of these questions are starting to be answered.

“I trust this new development helps the Matthews family, their friends, and our community to receive some closure and healing from this horrific crime.”

On Dec. 20, 1984, Jonelle was brought home after performing in a Christmas concert in Greeley. A friend’s father took her home at 320 43rd Ave. Court, and left her home alone. 

Jim Matthews, Jonelle’s father, arrived later that evening and filed a missing persons report after his daughter was nowhere in sight. 

In July 2019, an oil worker found Jonelle’s remains 10 miles north of Pankey’s home at the time of the crime. 

Pankey is awaiting extradition to Colorado.