17-Year-Old Racine Cold Case Murder Cracked

Racine---Leads from a double-homicide case in Milwaukee earlier this year helped crack a 17-year-old cold case murder in Racine County. At a press conference this morning---Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling announced that one suspect---in the murder of Juanita Zdroik---was arrested in Tampa, Florida and is now awaiting extradition. A warrant has been issued for a second suspect who is believed to be in Puerto Rico.

Ironically---the body of the 39-year-old mother of three was found along the side of the road on Highway K---on February 7, 2000---by Schmaling---then a sheriff’s deputy. She had been shot to death. At the press conference---Schmaling called it a “brutal execution” and he praised his department’s investigative team for not giving up on the case AND bringing closure to the Zdroik family.

The suspects have been identified as 39-year-old Miguel Cruz---currently under arrest---and---39-year-old Elias Burgos---still being sought.