OTTAWA COUNTY (WHTC-AM/FM) — Police have revised information released earlier about suspects in the murder of Troy Wells Jr., according to an email from Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Mark Bennett sent Sunday evening, Feb. 17, 2019. “This weekend the named suspect Claudio Estrada turned himself in to the Hidalgo Police Department in Texas,” Bennett wrote. “Estrada had learned of his outstanding warrants from relatives in Michigan. Through investigation with Texas authorities and after an interview with Mr. Estrada, it is not believed that Estrada was in Michigan at the time of Wells murder. Further detectives learned of misleading/false information from some witnesses that lead to identifying Estrada as the suspect. Estrada was released from custody in Texas after being held for a short time.”
Detectives have now focused on an 18-year-old Holland man, who police are not naming at this time. He is not in custody, Bennett said.
Under Michigan law, people who lie to police during a murder investigation can face a felony charge, punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years, or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
Investigators will be meeting Ottawa County Prosecutors officials on Monday, Feb. 18, “to discuss new charges in connection to the murder,” Bennet wrote, “and also possible charges for the false information to police.” Anyone with information is asked to call Silent Observer AT 1-877-88-SILENT or tips can be sent to www.mosotips.com.
