The Most Wanted Man by US Marshals is FINALLY captured: After SIX YEARS on the run for killing his lover on a vacation to San Diego, a 36-year-old bodybuilding ex-Marine is caught teaching English in El Salvador.
Monday, authorities in El Salvador detained Raymond ‘RJ’ McLeod and turned him over to US Marshals.
In June 2016, the 36-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona is wanted for the murder of his 30-year-old girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell.
After Mitchell’s death, McLeod escaped through Mexico to Central America and was reported in Belize in 2018 and Guatemala in 2017.
The former Marine was listed to the US Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted list in April 2021, becoming the first individual with an initial reward of up to $50,000.
A former Marine deemed so dangerous by U.S. Marshals that they placed the highest-ever bounty on his head has been arrested in El Salvador after six years on the lam.
36-year-old Raymond ‘RJ’ McLeod was discovered teaching English in the 71,000-person city of Sonsonate, about 20 miles inland from the Pacific coast.
In April 2021, the Marshals put him to their list of 15 “Most Wanted” criminals and doubled the reward for information leading to his capture to $50,000.
He was wanted for the June 2016 murder of his new girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell, 30, in the San Diego condo where they were living while he was visiting friends.
Raymond ‘RJ’ McLeod is shown in El Salvador on Monday, following his capture after six years on the run.
McLeod was described as armed, threatening, a “enthusiastic bodybuilder,” and a “hard drinker.”
Krystal Mitchell, 30, from Phoenix, had dated McLeod for only a few weeks before he murdered her.
She was found strangled after they went a bar and McLeod had an argument with another man who was also a former Marine. The three were expelled from the bar. McLeod and Mitchell returned to the rented flat, where Mitchell’s body was discovered the following day with clear evidence of a struggle.
McLeod, who, according to police, had a history of violence, fled to Central America by way of Mexico.
In 2017, he was spotted in Guatemala, and the following year he was spotted in Belize.
Marshals begged for assistance, but cautioned that he was armed and dangerous, as well as an ardent bodybuilder and heavy drinker.
Marshal Steve Stafford of the Southern District of California stated that they will never quit up when he was put to the Top 15 list in 2021.
McLeod is seen on Monday following his detention by Salvadoran authorities.
Marshals reported that McLeod might be identified by his unusual skull tattoos.
The former Marine was a Phoenix, Arizona resident when he went on the run.
Mitchell is photographed with her retired detective mother, Josephine Wentzel, who worked on the case.
He stated, “The Marshals’ pursuit of McLeod will be unaffected by the passage of time.”
If anything, it strengthens our resolve. No stone will remain unturned until he is brought to justice.
Josephine Wentzel, the mother of Mitchell, is a retired investigator who stepped out of retirement to assist in the search for her daughter’s accused murderer. She commended Frankie Sanchez, the regional U.S. Marshals Task Force Chief, and Francisco Barajas for their “great work.”
She remarked, “I have had faith and trust in them, and ever since I met Francisca Barajas, I was certain that he would be the one to catch him on this day.”
I informed him that he was my hero. We are lifelong companions.’
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