Houston man charged in connection to decade-old cold case killing of an 85-year-old

A suspect was arrested in connection to the fatal assault of an 85-year-old man that has been a cold case for the last decade, Houston police announced.

Michael Anthony Cuellar, 52, was charged with murder for the alleged attack, police said on June 17.

On Nov. 15, 2011, the victim, Roland Darby Suiter, 85, suffered a blunt force trauma to the head during an assault by an unknown assailant, cops say.

The investigation revealed Suiter was missing a large sum of money.

Suiter was transported to an area hospital, where he remained until he died six months later on May 20, 2012, according to Houston police.

An autopsy determined Suiter died due to complications from the assault. His death was then ruled a homicide, according to police.

Detectives say they continued to investigate the case “until all leads were exhausted.”

In 2017, the case was assigned to the Homicide Division Cold Case Squad for review.

Investigators say they were looking into another unrelated cold case murder from 1998 when they tested a DNA sample belonging to Cuellar, Click 2 Houston reported.

The DNA sample matched DNA that was found at the crime scene in Suiter’s house, according to Click 2 Houston.

Investigators say Cuellar suffered a cut during the alleged robbery, causing him to leave blood behind in the home.

“So much time has passed and we had all given up hope. After nearly 10 years, we cannot believe that we’re finally at an end,” Roland’s cousin Carlton Suiter told Click 2 Houston. “I’m so grateful to everyone involved with the Houston Police Department and everyone else.”