Key Takeaways
- Josephine Wentzel, a 67-year-old grandmother and former police detective, spent six years tracking down Raymond McLeod, the man accused of killing her daughter, Krystal Mitchell.
- Wentzel’s search spanned thousands of miles, international borders, and dozens of possible sightings, and she used social media to gather information and spread the word about McLeod’s wanted status.
- McLeod was eventually apprehended in El Salvador and is awaiting trial in San Diego on a charge of first-degree murder.
- Wentzel has written two books about her experience and has helped other grieving parents navigate the mix of frustration, despair, and confusion left by an unsolved homicide.
- She has also launched a campaign urging the White House to treat the country’s massive backlog of unsolved murders as a national emergency.
Introduction to Josephine Wentzel’s Story
Josephine Wentzel had waited years for the news that would finally bring her daughter’s killer to justice. When the message arrived on August 26, 2022, she was suddenly faced with the possibility that Raymond McLeod, the man authorities believed was responsible for killing her daughter, Krystal Mitchell, had finally been found. Wentzel had spent six years tracking McLeod, a search that took her across thousands of miles, international borders, and dozens of possible sightings. Despite the many false leads and disappointments, Wentzel never gave up, driven by her determination to see justice served for her daughter.
The Search for Raymond McLeod
Wentzel’s search for McLeod began soon after her daughter’s death in June 2016. McLeod, a 42-year-old former U.S. Marine, had been identified as a person of interest in Mitchell’s murder, and a warrant had been issued for his arrest. However, McLeod had disappeared, and Wentzel was frustrated by the government’s inability to quickly investigate leads in foreign countries. She decided to take matters into her own hands, using social media to gather information and spread the word about McLeod’s wanted status. Wentzel created a "wanted" poster with pictures of McLeod and circulated it on Facebook, targeting accounts in areas where she believed he might be hiding.
Challenges and Breakthroughs
Wentzel’s search was not without its challenges. She received many tips, some of which seemed legitimate, while others appeared to be scams. She had to navigate the complexities of international law enforcement and deal with the frustration of dead ends and false leads. However, she persevered, driven by her determination to see justice served for her daughter. In the spring of 2021, the Marshals Service announced that McLeod had been added to their list of 15 most wanted fugitives, and the reward for information leading to his arrest was increased to $50,000. This development helped to rejuvenate Wentzel’s search, and she eventually received a tip that led her to believe McLeod was hiding in Guatemala.
The Final Tip and McLeod’s Capture
Wentzel’s breakthrough came when she received a tip that McLeod was teaching English at a school in El Salvador, just north of the border with Guatemala. She surveyed YouTube videos from the school and posted a "wanted" ad on Facebook that targeted accounts in the area. Eventually, someone saw one of her ads and shared a brochure with authorities that appeared to show McLeod. This image prompted Wentzel to conclude that it was indeed McLeod, and four days later, authorities announced that he had been taken into custody in Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Aftermath and Reflection
Wentzel’s emotional response to McLeod’s capture was complex. She felt a mix of emotions, from relief and gratitude to anger and bitterness. She thought about her daughter’s final moments and ticked through a litany of revenge fantasies. However, she tried to focus on her daughter’s children, whom she and her husband have raised, and on the other victims she has sought to help. Wentzel’s experience has changed her, making her someone she never thought she would be. She has written two books about her experience and has helped other grieving parents navigate the mix of frustration, despair, and confusion left by an unsolved homicide.
Wentzel’s Advocacy and Legacy
Wentzel’s determination and perseverance have inspired others, and she has become an advocate for victims’ rights and justice. She has launched a campaign urging the White House to treat the country’s massive backlog of unsolved murders as a national emergency. Through her nonprofit, Angels of Justice, she has helped other grieving parents and has worked to raise awareness about the importance of solving unsolved homicides. Wentzel’s story is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance, and her legacy will continue to inspire others to seek justice and advocate for victims’ rights.
