Man suspected of killing lovers in 1983 may have fled to LA, police say

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Michigan authorities said they're searching for a man who may have fled to Los Angeles and is suspected of murdering a man and woman he was involved with in 1983.

Police said 63-year-old John Kelly Gentry Jr. murdered a woman in Michigan and a man in Ohio in April 1983.

Authorities said Gentry, who at the time was 30, was suspected of killing 25-year-old Barbara Gerber in her home.

Her brother found her body and called police. Authorities discovered her car had been stolen and later found it in Toledo, Ohio.

Detectives identified Gentry as a suspect in Gerber's murder and began searching for him in Ohio. They searched a rare coin store owned by William Veith and Veith's body was found in the basement.

Authorities also discovered Veith's car was stolen.

His car was later found in South Bend, Indiana, authorities said. Gentry was identified as a suspect in Veith's murder as well.

"I would say he's dangerous, he's got two homicide warrants out for his arrest, one in Michigan and one in Ohio," said Det. Jeff Smith with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Michigan.

Authorities believed Gentry was bisexual and in a relationship with both victims.

Detectives said Gentry's last form of contact was two postcards sent out a month after the murders. One was sent from San Diego to a friend, and the other was sent from L.A. to his father.

"That is the last that any family or anybody has heard from him, that we're being told," Smith said. "Although we've had people tell us recently in the last five years or so that they believe he's living out in Los Angeles."

Police released old photos of Gentry and an age-progressed image of what he may currently look like.

Detectives said Gentry may be living as a woman in L.A. and going by "Kelly," his middle name.

"Because he's been off the radar so long, I tend to believe after that he might have been leading a law-abiding life because he's not been picked up," Smith explained.

Authorities urged anyone with information to call Smith at (734) 240-7530.