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Arrests made in connection with the tragic murder of an ABC star

Johnny Wactor as Brando Corbin on General Hospital

Source: Screenshot, “General Hospital,” ABC

In late May, ABC fans and much of Hollywood were devastated to learn that popular actor Johnny Wactor had been brutally murdered in an attempted robbery. General Hospital Star was just 37 years old. In addition to his role as Brando Corbin in General HospitalWactor has appeared in a number of other successful shows, including Station 19, The Passenger, Siberia, And Westworld. He also played in USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016), Sisters of the groom (2017) and Trapper Edge (2023).

Johnny Wactor as Brando Corbin on General Hospital
Photo credit: Screenshot “General Hospital”, ABC

Wactor was reportedly leaving his bartending job in downtown Los Angeles with a co-worker when they saw a group of men near his car. His co-worker said the actor approached the men and realized they were trying to steal his car's catalytic converter. She said he was not aggressive and immediately stepped back. However, that did not stop one of the men from shooting Wactor before everyone fled the scene.

Wactor's colleague and a security guard at the bar where he worked did their best to keep the actor alive while they waited for emergency services to arrive. Unfortunately, nothing could be done and Mr. Wactor died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.

A shirtless man with curly hair and a beard sits on a roof. He wears patterned shorts and colorful shoes. He eats a piece of watermelon. With trees, houses and hills in the background under a clear, sunny sky, it is an idyllic scene that has sparked rumors like "Johnny Wactor dead.A shirtless man with curly hair and a beard sits on a roof. He wears patterned shorts and colorful shoes. He eats a piece of watermelon. With trees, houses and hills in the background under a clear, sunny sky, it is an idyllic scene that has sparked rumors like "Johnny Wactor dead.
Photo credit: Johnny Wactor, Instagram

Related: Murdered ABC star died protecting a colleague

Since his devastating murder, Wactor's mother Scarlett Wactor and friends have pleaded for anyone to come forward with information about Johnny's killer. While police have made every effort to find Wactor's killer, they have reached a dead end and have therefore asked the public for help.

On August 4, the Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspects involved in Wactor's murder. They released pictures of the suspects as well as information about the car the suspects were driving. They also released information about the tattoos the catalytic converter thieves wore.

A dark car is parked in a dimly lit parking lot with its doors open. Three people wearing hoodies are standing in different positions outside the vehicle. Amid rumors about the ABC star's tragic murder, one person is standing near the driver's seat, another near the back seat, and the third is standing next to the passenger seat.A dark car is parked in a dimly lit parking lot with its doors open. Three people wearing hoodies are standing in different positions outside the vehicle. Amid rumors about the ABC star's tragic murder, one person is standing near the driver's seat, another near the back seat, and the third is standing next to the passenger seat.
Photo credit: Los Angeles Police Department

Related: ABC star dies at 56 after battle with cancer

And their efforts have paid off, because the suspects are finally behind bars.

On August 18, the LAPD announced that four people had been arrested for Wactor's murder. Three of the men were arrested for murder and the fourth for aiding and abetting murder. The men arrested for the fatal shooting were Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez and Sergio Estrada. Frank Olano was arrested for aiding and abetting.

LAPD News: Update on a murder case in the Central Division

According to booking records, Barceleau, Gutierrez and Olano were each held on bail of $2 million. Records on Estrada were not readily available. The men are young, between 18 and 22 years old. Search warrants were issued Thursday, leading to the arrests and the seizure of additional evidence.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Johnny Wactor’s family and loved ones.

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