Michigan fugitive Richard Werstine was imprisoned in Panama for more than 30 years after allegedly murdering rock singer Rodney Barner.
A Michigan fugitive who allegedly killed his best friend and former rock musician was arrested as authorities discovered he had been hiding in Central America as a “ghost” for more than three decades.
Richard Werstine, 56, was captured at a dog park in Panama City on April 29 after fleeing after allegedly killing Cold as frontman Rodney Barner, 23, at their Detroit home on September 15, 1993, according to the US Marshals Service.
Westine – who has gone by several names, including Joseph Alan Stavros – was found to have fake numbers and was found after his fingerprints were taken.
Barner, known by her stage name Rawn Beauty, was shot in the head as she slept.
The singer has been described as a “vocalist legend,” whose antics led to many of the group’s songs being sung, according to Revolver Magazine.
Wersstine was arrested days after the brutal murder but failed to appear in court as he was about to be tried, instead he skipped town to go to court.
Authorities issued a warrant for Werstine’s arrest in June 1994. The motive for the 1993 murder has not been disclosed.
Officials did not say whether charges will be added to Westine’s case.
“He’s been a ghost since ’94,” WDIV reported, citing a source. “He was very, very cunning when he was running away.”
“He lied. Believe what he said and he has a new life,” US Deputy Chief Marshal James Allen told reporters.
Westine, who uses other names, has eluded police capture despite multiple arrests in Michigan, Arizona and elsewhere on arson and gun charges, according to the outlet.
“In May 2022, the USMS received a warrant for failure to appear for murder and through its investigation found that Wersstine had been arrested multiple times over the years under different aliases, but authorities were unaware of his true identity,” officials said.
Officials tracked Westine to Panama City before authorities returned to him in April.
After his arrest, Westine admitted that he had used a false name and had been living in Panama illegally since 2005, never obtaining legal status.
“He was originally from Panama and he just had a new life and I think he thought he wasn’t going to get caught,” Allen said.
“He 100% thought he would never be found,” Allen said. “Fingerprints don’t lie.”
US Marshals are headed to Panama on May 9 to extradite Werstine to the US, where he will be booked into the Wayne County, Michigan jail.
A photo shared by officials captured Westine being escorted to the Houston airport after arriving in the US.
“The tenacity and commitment of the United States Marshals Service working to bring Westine and others like him into police custody where they are is at the forefront of our daily work here in Detroit,” Allen said in a statement.
“His arrest not only serves to bring closure to the friends and family of the bereaved but also demonstrates our promise to go after those who think they can hold members of our communities without charge.”
