State Police arrest father of missing child in connection to the 1998 cold case murder of Sylena Dalton

CULPEPER, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia State Police have made an arrest in connection to the 1998 cold case investigation into the murder of Sylena Jo Dalton.

On the morning of July 27, 1998, 20-year-old Sylena Dalton of Strasburg, Va. was found stabbed to death inside her Strasburg apartment according to police.

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According to 8News previous coverage, at the time of Dalton's murder her then 13-week-old child, Allyson also went missing and had not been seen since.

In a Facebook post from State police in 2017 Commander of the VSP BCI of the Culpeper field office stated, "We do believe little Allyson was abducted by whoever murdered her mother. We are hopeful that someone will feel safe enough to come forward now, after all these years, and help bring a murderer and kidnapper to justice. Sylena and Allyson’s family deserves the truth and closure they’ve been so desperately seeking for the past 19 years.”

On Sunday, Sept. 28 Virginia State Police and Culpeper Field Office announced that on Friday Sept. 26, they arrested and charged 56-year-old Daniel E. Pompell of Culpeper, Va. with one count of murder.

According to state police, Pompell who is also the father of Allyson, was then taken into custody without incident. This arrest comes after a 27-year investigation into the murder.

State Police Chief of Criminal Investigations and Culpeper Field Office Captain John Defilippi stated that, "We are pleased to be able to bring this case to this point and bring some overdue closure to the family of Sylena Jo Dalton."

"We are thankful for all the hard work agents and analysts put into this case to make this arrest possible," continued Defilippi. "We also truly appreciate the cooperation and coordination with Shenandoah County Commonwealths Attorney Elizabeth Cooper and her Office in moving this case forward."

The Shenandoah County Commonwealth's Attorney Elizabeth Cooper, shared that her office is prepared to to continue their efforts to ensure that justice is served on behalf of the victim and her family.

The case will be prosecuted by the Shenandoah County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.