A Michigan fugitive who allegedly murdered his best friend and rock singer roommate was arrested as authorities discovered he’d been hiding in Central America as a “ghost” for over three decades.
Richard Werstine, 56, was captured at a dog park in Panama City on April 29 after he’d been on the run following the alleged killing of Cold as Life frontman Rodney Barner, 23, inside their Detroit home, back on Sept. 15, 1993, according to the US Marshals Service.
Werstine – who had gone by several names, including Joseph Alan Stavros – was found in possession of fraudulent identification and was only identified after having his fingerprints scanned.
Barner, also known by his stagename Rawn Beauty, was fatally shot in the head in his sleep.
The singer was described as a “fabled wild-man vocalist,” whose antics led to the backdrop for many of the band’s songs, according to Revolver Magazine.
Werstine was arrested days after the heinous murder but failed to appear for his court appearance as he was set to stand trial, instead skipping town and going on the lam.
Authorities issued a warrant for Werstine’s arrest in June 1994. A motive for the 1993 murder has not been revealed.
Officials did not reveal if additional charges would be added to Werstine’s case.
“He was a ghost since ‘94,” WDIV reported, citing a source. “He was very cunning, very crafty while on the run.”
“He’s a liar. He’s believed what he said and had a whole new life,” US Marshal Assistant Chief Deputy James Allen told the outlet.
Werstine, using his alternate names, escaped police detection despite being arrested multiple times in Michigan, Arizona and other places for arson and gun charges, according to the outlet.
“In May 2022, the USMS adopted the warrant for failure to appear for a murder charge and through its investigation discovered that Werstine had been arrested multiple times over the years under different aliases, but his true identity was never known to authorities,” officials said.
Officials tracked Werstine down to Panama City before authorities moved in on him back in April.
After his arrest, Werstine admitted to using a fake name and living in Panama illegally since 2005, never obtaining legal status.
“He had roots in Panama and kinda just lived a new life and I think he thought that he would never be caught,” Allen added.
“He 100% thought he was never gonna be found,” Allen said. “Fingerprints don’t lie.”
US Marshals officials traveled to Panama on May 9 to extradite Werstine to the US, where he will be booked into jail in Wayne County, Michigan.
A photo shared by officials captured Werstine being escorted through a Houston airport after arriving in the US.
“The tenacity and commitment of the United States Marshals Service working to bring Werstine and those like him into police custody where they belong is at the forefront of our daily mission here in Detroit,” Allen said in a statement.
“His arrest not only works toward bringing closure to the friends and family who have lost a loved one but also demonstrates our promise to pursue those who think they can prey on the members of our communities without being held accountable.”
