Cincinnati Man Sentenced to Lifetime Imprisonment for 1997 Lenawee County Homicide

LANSING – Today, Richardo Sepulveda, 53, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment before Judge Michael R. Olsaver in the 39th Circuit Court after he was convicted by a Lenawee County jury of multiple felonies in connection to the 1997 cold-case homicide of “John Doe,” announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In April, Richardo Sepulveda was convicted of:  

• One count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder;
• One count of Assault with Intent to Maim;
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Assault with Intent to Maim;
• One count of Tampering with Evidence; and
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence.  

On November 19, 1997, police were dispatched to Blissfield Township in response to the discovery of human remains in a cornfield owned and farmed by the caller. When police arrived to examine the remains, they observed the body of an unidentified, unclothed male that was missing the head and both hands. The hands appeared to have been cut from just above the wrist. Officers also observed what appeared to be saw striations on the ends of the bones. The homicide is believed to be connected to international drug trafficking activities. 

In January of 2023, Attorney General Nessel charged Richardo Sepulveda and co-defendant Michael Sepulveda, 51, of Toledo, Ohio, in connection with the homicide. Michael Sepulveda pled guilty to Second Degree Murder in August of 2024 and was sentenced to 10 to 30 years’ incarceration in May. 

“Every victim deserves to have their case thoroughly investigated and pursued,” Nessel said. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of prosecutors in my office and local, state, and federal law enforcement, justice has finally been served nearly three decades after this horrific murder. My office will continue to stand up for crime victims and ensure offenders are held accountable.” 

To date, John Doe’s identity is still unknown, but he is believed to be a 32-year-old Hispanic man from the Corpus Christie/McAllen, Texas area. The investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information, please contact Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Larry Rothman at 313-407-9379.