FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – After eluding arrest for nearly 25 years, the man accused of killing 56-year-old Farmington Hills resident Gordon Maychek in 2001 has been apprehended.
Edgardo Luis Perez, 44, of Detroit, was arrested in Guatemala on July 8 and extradited to the United States to face multiple charges in the cold case.
According to the FBI, Perez befriended Machek at a health club and gained his trust within a few weeks. The victim’s roommate told investigators that Machek left to spend the day with Perez on Oct. 20, 2001, and that was the last time anyone heard from him.
Maychek was reported missing on Oct. 22. When police checked his home, they determined that he had been murdered. However, his body was never found.
Police say an investigation revealed that Perez — who has reportedly been on the run since the incident — had a collection of books in his possession on how to be a fugitive, how to do money transactions over the internet, and how to change one’s identity. There was also DNA evidence recovered that FBI investigators say link Perez to Maychek’s murder.
Investigators believe that Perez may have befriended Machek with the intent of stealing his identification and money to flee the country, as he reportedly feared being sent to prison for a probation violation at the time.
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The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office charged Perez with Felony Murder in 2003, and the U.S. Attorney issued a warrant charging Perez with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
He was arraigned in the 47th District Court on Friday on one count of felony murder, one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, and one count of manslaughter. His bond was denied.
The Farmington Hills Police Department is scheduled to hold a press conference after the arraignment to provide updates in the case.
“This has been an active case for 25 years. We have had numerous groups of investigators who have received this case, worked this case, and retired only to pass it on to next generations of officers,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. “I believe now this is the fourth group of OICs that have been following up on this case. So this is something that’s never left the minds of our investigators or our police department.”