Two Suspects Charged with Murder in Connection to Death of General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
19/08/2024 23h42

In a tragic turn of events, two suspects have been charged with murder in relation to the death of actor Johnny Wactor, who was known for his role as Brando Corbin in "General Hospital." The charges were announced by Los Angeles County prosecutors during a press conference on Monday, held at the Los Angeles Hall of Justice.

The suspects, identified as Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18 years old, have been charged with murder. Barceleau's charge includes a special circumstance allegation of killing in the commission of a robbery, which could result in a potential life sentence without parole. Additionally, both Barceleau and Estrada face charges of attempted robbery and grand theft while armed with a firearm.

Further developments in the investigation led to the arrest of two more individuals. Leonel Gutierrez, 18, has been charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both with allegations that he was armed. Frank Olano, 22, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the murder, along with charges of receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The incident occurred on May 25 in downtown Los Angeles when Wactor tragically came across a suspected catalytic converter theft attempt. Authorities served search warrants and took three suspects into custody last week, using fingerprints left on the car jack used in the theft to identify them.

Barceleau, Estrada, Gutierrez, and Olano are all currently in custody with bail set at $2 million for the former three and $1 million for Olano.

Following the devastating news of Wactor's death, his godmother, Michaelle Kinard, created a GoFundMe page to support the actor's family. Within 24 hours, the page received over $50,000 in donations, and the total fund has now reached over $144,000.

In an emotional statement on the GoFundMe page, Kinard expressed her grief over the senseless crime that claimed Wactor's life. She recounted the events leading up to the tragedy, where Wactor and a coworker encountered three individuals attempting to steal his catalytic converter. Kinard described how Wactor innocently questioned if his car was being towed, only to be met with silence before being shot.

The murder of Johnny Wactor has shaken the entertainment industry and the wider community alike. As the investigation unfolds, the hope for justice remains, while loved ones and fans mourn the loss of a talented actor taken too soon.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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