New details revealed in death of General Hospital star

January 7, 2025 / Kevin harson /

One of the individuals charged in the death of General Hospital star Johnny Wactor allegedly told another not to shoot, a detective revealed during a preliminary hearing on Monday.

Law enforcement officials revealed new details about Wactor’s killing during the first day of the hearing in front of Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. Olmedo is expected to determine whether there is enough evidence to allow the case against Robert Isaiah Barceleau and Sergio Estrada to go to trial.

Why It Matters

Wactor, 37, was fatally shot in Los Angeles in May of last year when he encountered three men who were allegedly trying to steal the catalytic converter of his car.

Johnny Wactor arrives at the world premiere of “The Mule” on Dec. 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. New details about Wactor’s death were revealed during a preliminary hearing on Monday.

Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Barceleau and Estrada, both 18, are each charged with one count of murder, attempted second-degree robbery and grand theft. Barceleau’s charges include a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of an attempted robbery.

A third individual, 19-year-old Leonel Gutierrez, pleaded no contest to attempted robbery and grand theft.

What To Know

During the hearing, LAPD Detective Justin Howarth shared details about a secretly recorded jail conversation. During the exchange, Estrada allegedly said he told Barceleau not to shoot.

Howarth said Estrada described Barceleau as “hot-headed” and said he did not want to work with him to steal catalytic converters.

The detective also spoke about Barceleau’s conversation with an informant, where he allegedly admitted to shooting Wactor because he was “going after the homie.”

Howarth said Estrada and Barceleau took a photo together after Wactor’s killing. Barceleau was allegedly holding a gun while Estrada held cash.

Officials recovered a 2-ton, rapid-pump floor jack from the scene. The fingerprints of Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez were found on the jack, according to testimony.

LAPD Detective Keith Gonzales said Wactor went to confront the men while his coworker took a photo of a dark sedan parked near Wactor’s car.

Wactor allegedly told the men that the Toyota Prius was his car and asked what they were doing.

The coworker, Anita Gibney, told officials she “heard a loud snap.” When she asked Wactor if he was alright, he said, “Nope, I’ve been shot.”

Wactor was pronounced dead 14 minutes later from a single gunshot to the chest.

Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez were charged in August of last year.

What People Are Saying

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, in a statement on the charges being filed: “I first want to express my continued condolences to the Wactor family and the community mourning his loss. I want to thank the LAPD for their work and partnership throughout the investigation and for their continued efforts to keep Angelenos safe and to bring justice to victims of violence.”