Racine homicide from March 1987; 83-year-old man accused

1987 Racine killing, 83-year-old man accused

A woman's body was found in the trunk of her car in Racine nearly four decades ago. Police and prosecutors say her estranged husband was the prime suspect from the beginning.

RACINE, Wis. - A woman's body was found in the trunk of her car in Racine nearly four decades ago. Police and prosecutors say her estranged husband was the prime suspect from the beginning, but only charged him on March 28.

It is unclear why Fred Wagner-Richardson was not charged since his wife's murder in March 1987. Both the police and Racine County District Attorney's Office could not speak to the decisions or lack of them in that time. But officials say they are now comfortable the puzzle pieces are there to bring charges.

Fred Wagner-Richardson

The partially-clothed body of Derby Wagner-Richardson was found in the trunk of her car in March 1987. It was parked in an alley across the street from the factory where she worked the night shift as a security guard.

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Derby Wagner-Richardson

"Ideally, it would be my sister Ruth (Derby’s mother who passed away in April 2022), standing here," said Ellie Schmidt, Derby Wagner-Richardson's aunt. "She fought so hard and for so long to get justice for her daughter's murder."

Police say they finally have a case against Fred Wagner-Richardson, Derby's estranged husband. The two were going through a divorce – and he threatened her hours before she was found dead.

Crime scene of Derby Wagner-Richardson homicide

"We've asked we've asked ourselves that question many times. Why? Why not? Years ago. The case was always there, right?" said Racine County Detective Todd Lauer. "We were able to lay it out in a way where we thought there was a common sense case, and it was ready to be put in front of a jury and let them decide."

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And a recent tip that Fred Wagner-Richardson, a convicted felon, had weapons.

Murder of Derby Wagner-Richardson (1987 report)

TV6's Myra Sanchick filed this report on the murder of Derby Wagner-Richardson in March 1987.

Police say they executed a search warrant at Fred Wagner-Richardson‘s properties. Inside police say they found a set of bolt cutters identical to those found in the days after Derby‘s death and those that Fred bought the month after she died.

"The significance of it is tying Fred and his possessions to the underlying crime, and when it occurred," said Patricia Hanson, Racine County District Attorney.

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson

A pathologist said a mark on Derby's head could have come from the bolt cutters found along Spring Street – along with other evidence. Police say Fred's relative told investigators he recognized those bolt cutters as Fred's.

With circumstantial evidence from the start, Hanson could not say why Wagner-Richardson was not charged over the years.

"I think that there's enough puzzle pieces of the circumstantial evidence to bring this case forward," Hanson.

Investigators provide new info on 1987 Racine cold case

Racine police hold a news conference to talk about a cold case from March 1987 -- and the 83-year-old man who is now charged.

For Derby Wagner-Richardson's family, the news that Fred Wagner-Richardson is charged is surreal.

"We didn't consider anybody else. That would have a reason to kill Derby," said Bryon Linder, Derby Wagner-Richardson’s younger brother.

Derby Wagner-Richardson

Hanson said witnesses in the case have died over the years, but she has those that she needs to put the case before a jury.

Fred Wagner-Richardson made his initial appearance in Racine County court on the above charges on Monday, April 1. The court set cash bond at $50,000 and also issued a signature bond of $50,000.