Walter Randolph Peartree, 62, was arrested at his home in Delaware, Ohio, by Delaware police detectives. Peartree was arrested on an L.A. County murder warrant.
Peartree was arrested for the 1978 murder of James Gentry, 52. Gentry, a business exectuve, was found dead in his residence on the 3100 block of Kelton Avenue on April 10, 1978.
Delaware police detectives have been assisting L.A. cold-case detectives, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
L.A. cold-case detectives matched Peartree to Gentry's murder with evidence analysis not available in 1978, according to the LAPD.
Peartree is expected to be extradited to California pending an Ohio court appearance.
Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect should contact detectives handling the investigation: Detectives Rick Jackson and Elizabeth Estupinian, Robbery-Homicide Division, Cold Case Special Section at (213) 486-6825 or (213) 486-6810.
During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477).
Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 using a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "web tips" and follow the prompts.
