Two men arrested in Michigan cold case in 1997

More than 25 years after a man’s headless body was discovered in a Michigan field, two Ohio men have been arrested for their possible involvement in the man’s murder.

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The body of a man found in 1997

A Lenawee County farmer made the discovery in November 1997. The man’s decapitated body was found under a light dusting of snow and reports indicate that the deceased man’s hands had also been severed.

According to Detroit Television Channel WJBK-TV, there was speculation that the victim might have been a Texa man named Roberto who was supposed to be on his way to Chicago.

However, without the head and hands, police were unable to positively identify the body and the case eventually went cold.

A break in the case

More than 25 years after the discovery, the United States Marshals Service announced that two Ohio men had been arrested.

Brothers Richardo Sepulveda of Cincinnati and Michael Sepulveda of Toledo were implicated in the man’s murder and now face numerous charges:

• Count 1 – first degree premeditated murder, a felony punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole;
• Count 2 – Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Premeditated Murder, a crime punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole;
• Count 3 – assault with intent to dismember, a ten year felony;
• Count 4 – Conspiracy to Commit Assault with Intent to Dismember, a ten year felony;
• Count 5 – Tampering with evidence, a ten-year felony; and,
• Count 6 – Conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, a ten year felony.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed her gratitude to law enforcement for their work in the case.

“Michigan State Police worked with multiple law enforcement agencies and local and federal prosecutors to collect evidence and establish a timeline of events,” Nessel said. “I am grateful to them for their persistence in pursuing this case.”