GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Kent County investigators say a man suspected in the 1991 Grand Rapids shooting death of a homeless woman confessed to that crime before his execution in Texas.
Rodrigo Hernandez, 38, was put to death Thursday night at a prison in Huntsville, TX, for the kidnapping, rape and strangulation of a San Antonio woman in 1994.
According to a news release from the Kent County Metro Cold Case Team, Hernandez confessed to Texas Rangers that he was responsible for the 1991 shooting death of Muriel Stoepker, 69, in Grand Rapids. Hernandez also admitted to his role in the rape and murder of the San Antonio woman. Before the death-row confession, Hernandez had denied any involvement in either crime.
According to Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. Sally Wolter, Hernandez agreed to talk to the Rangers minutes before his execution. Hernandez told the investigators he shot and killed Stoepker after he paid her for a sexual favor. He claimed the gun he used went off accidentally.
In 2010, DNA evidence linked Hernandez to the shooting death of Stoepker.
Last week, Kent County investigators flew to Texas to ask Hernandez for a statement -- he had exhausted all of his appeals and was awaiting execution. Hernandez admitted to having sexual relations with Stoepker, but denied involvement in her murder.
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