CULPEPER, Va. (WHSV) - Virginia State Police has announced a breakthrough in a cold case investigation of the 1998 murder of Sylena Jo Dalton .

Dalton, 20 years old, from Strasburg, was found dead on July 27, 1998, stabbed to death inside her apartment in Strasburg. Dalton’s 10-week-old daughter, Allyson Kathleen Dalton, was also missing and has never been located.

Agents with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Culpeper Field Office arrested Daniel E. Pompell, 56, of Culpeper, father of Allyson, is being charged him with one count of murder, according to VSP.

VSP stated that Pompell was taken into custody without incident, and this arrest, “marks a major step in the 27-year investigation.”

“We are pleased to be able to bring this case to this point and bring

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