Ohio Man Convicted in 1997 Michigan Cold Case Murder

More than 25 years after a grisly discovery in a Blissfield Township, Mich., cornfield, an Ohio man has been convicted in a cold case that remained unsolved for decades.

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Back in November 1997, a local farmer stumbled upon a horrifying scene on his property near Adrian: human remains lying nude and mutilated. The unidentified victim’s head and hands were missing, and investigators noted what looked like saw marks on the bones—suggesting a deliberate and gruesome attempt to conceal the man’s identity. Police believed the murder was connected to drug trafficking.

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that on Friday 53-year-old Richardo Sepulveda of Cincinnati, Ohio, was found guilty by a Lenawee County jury of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the homicide of “John Doe." The charge carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

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Sepulveda was also charged with:

• Assault with Intent to Maim (10-year felony)
• Conspiracy to Commit Assault with Intent to Maim (10-year felony)
• Tampering with Evidence,  (10-year felony)
• Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence,  (10-year felony)

His brother, Michael Sepulveda, 51, of Toledo, was also charged in connection to the case. In August he plead guilty to second degree murder. Both Richardo and Michael will be sentenced in the coming months.

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Despite the convictions there is one unanswered question: Who is John Doe?

Authorities believe him to be a 32-year-old Hispanic man from the Corpus Christie/McAllen, Texas area, but his identity has never been confirmed. According to Monroe County Reporters, he was between the ages of 20 and 40 and approximately 5'8". Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Larry Rothman at 313-407-9379.