HOT SPRINGS - The boyfriend of a Hot Springs Village police dispatcher killed two years ago this month pleaded innocent Monday morning in Garland County Circuit Court to a felony charge of first-degree murder in her death.

Kevin Conway Duck, 30, was taken into custody Nov. 26 in Burlington, Colo., and extradited to Hot Springs last week on an arrest warrant stemming from the death of Dawna Natzke, 46.

Natzke was last seen alive at a Christmas party in Hot Springs Village on Dec. 21, 2011. Natzke’s body was found 10 days later on Main Haul Road outside the village.

An autopsy Jan. 3, 2012, determined that she died within three to four hours of leaving the party from blunt-force trauma and drowning.

Duck appeared in court with his attorney, Clay Janske, to enter his plea. He is set to appear again Dec. 30 for a hearing on a motion filed by Janske to have Duck’s $250,000 bail reduced.

If convicted, Duck could face up to life in prison.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 12/17/2013