Charges have just been filed in the death of well-known architect Kirk Blunck, nearly seven years after he died. Des Moines police made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

Des Moines police have charged 32-year-old Zachary Gaskill, of Des Moines, with second-degree murder.

Police say Gaskill was responsible for the injuries that killed Blunck.

Blunck was found injured at the bottom of a staircase at the Teachout building in the East Village in January 2016. Police say he died shortly after he was found.

Police say the medical examiner ruled that Blunck’s death was caused by multiple blunt force trauma due to a fall from height.

Blunck’s family won a wrongful death lawsuit in 2018 after Gaskill failed to appear in court. The family maintained their belief that Gaskill killed Blunck. Gaskill was ordered to pay Blunck’s family $6.125 million. But he had never faced criminal charges until now.

Police say that over the past six years, detectives have continued following leads, interviewing witnesses, and examining evidence leading up to criminal charges.

The attorney for the Blunck family shared the following statement with KCCI:

“The Blunck Family is very pleased that the process of justice for Kirk continues. They would like to thank the Des Moines Police and Detective Jeff Shannon for their determination and efforts.”

Blunck’s most notable projects include the renaissance of the East Village and the revitalization of the Younkers Tea Room.

The last place anyone remembers speaking with Blunck was across the street from the Locust Tap in the East Village.

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