Decades-Old Hit-and-Run Cold Case Solved After ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Rerun

A man has been apprehended nearly 30 years after the tragic hit-and-run death of 64-year-old Leslie Ruby in Des Moines, Iowa. The breakthrough came following a tip from a viewer who was watching a rerun of the true crime show America’s Most Wanted.

Ruby, a Korean War veteran, was struck outside his home on September 29, 1997, while he was crossing the street on his riding lawn mower after cutting grass for his daughter. The incident occurred in front of the neighbor’s driveway, with Ruby being carried approximately 150 feet by the impact, as recounted by neighbor Dan Anderson.

According to police, the vehicle that hit Ruby did not stop, and initial investigations led to the identification of a suspect, Gerardo Garcia-Michel, who was 28 at the time. Investigators believed he had fled the state, with information suggesting he might have moved to Southern California, but that lead turned out to be unfruitful.

The case received public attention a year later when America’s Most Wanted featured it, hoping new information would arise. However, it wasn’t until almost 29 years later that a viewer in New Jersey recognized Garcia-Michel as a neighbor and submitted a tip.

The Des Moines Police, who had a warrant out for Garcia-Michel for nearly three decades, reached out to New Jersey authorities and facilitated his arrest on August 26. Although the suspect has aged, detectives felt confident in the identification based on photo comparisons.

Over the years, despite witness interviews and initial evidence gathering, police were unable to capture the driver responsible for hitting Ruby. The only major clue was a dark-colored vehicle that matched the description found shortly after the incident, which had severe damage consistent with the collision.

Garcia-Michel was charged as a fugitive from justice, and efforts are underway to extradite him back to Iowa. Reports indicate that he had evaded capture by slightly altering his name and date of birth.

Leslie Ruby died just months shy of his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife, Patricia Ruby, who passed away three years later. Their daughter, Shirley, also died in 2013. Ruby’s granddaughter, Shonna, expressed relief, stating that her family can now find peace knowing that justice has finally been pursued.

Paul Parizek, a sergeant with the Des Moines Police Department, emphasized the importance of persistence in solving cold cases, stating, “It doesn’t matter if it’s 29 minutes, 29 days, or 29 years after a crime. Getting answers for the family is one of the most important things we can do.”