On April 28, 2026, Carter Lake Police conducted a welfare check and located a deceased male inside a hotel room. Carter Lake Police subsequently contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for assistance. On April 30, 2026, the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the deceased male as 63-year-old Kenneth Bruce Gauff of Omaha, Nebraska. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
On April 30, 2026, Joseph Edward Bertolino was charged with Murder in the First Degree, a class A Felony.
Bertolino is currently in custody in Lancaster County, Nebraska for Attempted First Degree Assault on a Police Officer, stemming from an assault in Lincoln on April 28, 2026. On May 1, 2026, Bertolino appeared in court and waived extradition. He will be transported to Iowa to face his murder charge.
Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Complaint and Affidavit (81.51 KB).pdf
Related press release below.
DCI Investigates Homicide in Carter Lake, Iowa | Iowa Department of Public Safety
