We previously reported that the former General Hospital star Johnny Wactor, 37, was murdered in Los Angeles, California back in May. Now, three suspects have finally been arrested for the crime.
Suspects Arrested In Wactor’s Murder
Suspects Robert Barcelau, 18; Leonel Guiterrez, 18; and Sergio Estrada, 18, were arrested last week and charged with Wactor’s murder. A fourth person identified as Frank Olano, 22, was arrested with a warrant as an accessory.
The Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s office said that Barcelau has been charged with one count of murder “with special circumstances of murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm.”
Barcelau is facing life in prison without parole if he is convicted.
Meanwhile, Estrada has also been charged with one count of murder with an allegation of being armed with a firearm. In addition, he’s been charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both with firearms. If he is convicted, Estrada is facing a maximum life sentence.
Related: ‘General Hospital’ Cast Mourns Star Johnny Wactor After His Tragic Death
Additional Charges
As for Gutierrez, he has been charged with one count of attempted robbery with a firearm, and one count of grand theft. He is facing almost five years in prison. Finally, Olano is facing nearly six years in prison charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and receiving stolen property. He’s also been hit with three counts of being a felon with a firearm.
Barcelau is being held without bail, while Estrada is being held on over $2,070,00 bail. Meanwhile, Olano’s bail has been set to over $1,080,000, and Guiterrez’s is set for $120,000.
Lt. Ryan Rabbett from LAPD Central Homicide confirmed to Fox News that each of the suspects are affiliated with the Florencia 13 gang in Los Angeles. He also said that all four of them have “lengthy” criminal records, including as juveniles.
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Wactor’s Death
Wactor had just left his bartending job with a female coworker in the early hours of May 25 when he was killed. The LAPD said at the time that he was “confronted by three individuals” after noticing his car had been “raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter.”
Wactor’s mother Scarlet later explained what happened.
“They were walking to their car, and when they get there, Johnny’s car, which was parked in front of the co-worker’s, looked like it was jacked to one side, and from what I understand, he said, ‘Hey, man, you towing my car?’ … And the person looked up and had a mask, and so then I guess he knew they weren’t doing that, and so he stepped in front of the co-worker and then backed up and put his hands up or both, and the person shot him,” she said.
Wactor was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His coworker was not injured.
“And the crazy thing is, he wasn’t trying to stop them from taking it. They could have just left or taken it, he probably would have just given them the car,” his mother continued. “They were very much a coward[ly] person… I hope they catch them, and I hope there’s justice for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. I will see him again. But down here on Earth, it’s going to be a very, very long road without him for me and his brothers.”
Wactor was best known for playing Brando Corbin on General Hospital for 164 episodes from 2020-2022. His death is a true tragedy, and we’re glad that the alleged perpetrators are being brought to justice.
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