Lincoln Police Make Murder Arrest

Lincoln Police Make Murder Arrest

Published on January 16, 2025

The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) made an arrest today in the death of Larry Cole, 76, who was found deceased in his Lincoln home in December 2023.

Investigators arrested Alaric Harden, 46, for 1st degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony at the Lancaster County Jail where he was already in custody on unrelated charges.

On December 19, 2023, LPD responded to the area of New Hampshire and N. 12th streets for a check welfare of Cole. The front door was found barricaded with a strong odor of natural gas coming from inside the residence.

Officers requested assistance from Lincoln Fire & Rescue (LFR). When LFR entered the home, they found Harden inside. He was taken to the hospital for natural gas exposure. They also located Cole's body in the living room where it appeared he had been deceased for several days.

An autopsy determined Cole's cause of death to be stab wounds to the head, neck and torso along with blunt force trauma to the head. During the investigation, the state crime lab determined a knife found next to the kitchen sink had both the victim and suspect's DNA on the blade and the suspect's DNA on the handle.

LPD would like to express our condolences to the Cole family as they continue to grieve his death during this difficult time.

The department would also like to commend our investigators for their dedication and diligence over the past year, which led to the identification and arrest of Harden. Their relentless pursuit of justice exemplifies our commitment to the community, working to provide closure for those impacted by this senseless tragedy.