October 4, 2026

Eric Paul O'Connell II charged with 1st Degree Murder

On October 3, 2026, at approximately 8:40 pm Black Hawk County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to 137 S. Elk Run Road in rural Black Hawk County for an unknown problem. Upon arriving, deputies saw signs of a struggle in the house, and they discovered Gale Anthony Mervin (age 75) was deceased. Eric Paul O'Connell II (age 21) was found hiding in another room.

O'Connell was transported by ambulance to Unity Point Allen Hospital for evaluation. O'Connell admitted to officers that he killed Mervin, and upon being released from the hospital he was transported to the Black Hawk County Jail where he was charged with 1st Degree Murder. O'Connell is scheduled to have his initial appearance this morning at 9:00 am.

Mervin is O'Connell's grandfather, and they both lived at 137 S. Elk Run Road.

The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Waterloo Fire Department, Black Hawk County Conservation Department, and the Black Hawk County Consolidated Communications Center.

Sheriff Nathan Neff