A man accused of murdering his rock singer friend in 1993 has been arrested in Panama after more than 30 years on the run, US authorities have said.
Richard Werstine, 56, was taken into custody at a dog park in Panama City on 29 April, according to the US Marshals Service. He is wanted in connection with the killing of Rodney Barger, vocalist of the hardcore punk band Cold as Life.
Investigators say Barger, 23, was Werstine's roommate and close friend when Werstine allegedly shot him in the head as he slept inside their Detroit residence on 15 September 1993. Werstine was initially detained by Detroit police days after the murder but failed to appear for trial, leading to a warrant for his arrest in June 1994.
At the time of his arrest, Werstine was carrying fake identification, but fingerprint testing confirmed his identity. He later confessed to being on the run and admitted to entering Panama illegally in 2005, never obtaining legal status.
Chief Deputy Marshal Jimmy Allen said: '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.'
The US Marshals Service had taken over the case in May 2022 and worked with Panamanian authorities to track him down. A federal source described Werstine as 'a ghost since '94', adding that he was 'very cunning, very crafty while on the run'.
