Police arrest for murder the husband of a woman who mysteriously disappeared in California almost four decades ago.

Authorities took into custody Marvin Gail Owens, 62, on Wednesday for murdering his wife, Deborah Owens, 23, after 37 years of being the top suspect in her 1978 disappearance.

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Keith County Sheriff's deputies apprehended Owens, who left California a long time ago and moved to Nebraska. They plan to have the suspect brought back to California.

Investigators said they had a breakthrough in the cold case when they found new clues to the disappearance at the couple's old home. They declined to give details.

Sgt. Jason Hail, the Butte County sheriff, said he had always suspected Owens killed his wife and hid her body but police did not have enough proof to prosecute him.

Police detectives added they gained fresh information from interviews with Deborah Owens' family and friends.

Owens reported his wife missing on November 21, 1978, 48 hours after last seeing her in their Oroville home where the couple lived with their two daughters, according to police records.

Police have not found her body nor has anyone heard from her since.

The victim's friends and family said the couple's relationship was on the rocks. They harbored suspicions because the missing mother could not leave without "checking on her kids," police said.

Police are also looking into a possibility Owens has a connection to the fate of missing woman, Essie Margarette Hiett, 48, in the same year. The waitress finished her night shift at a bar in Oroville in February 1978 to drive home, and, like Deborah Owens, she mysteriously disappeared.

Police said the victim's car was later discovered in a ditch with personal effects inside, indicating foul play.