The person at the center of this case
Male relative of Wilfredo Rodriguez
Homicide · Open - Fugitive
42 years waiting · since 1983
WILFREDO RODRIGUEZ
Justice for Male relative of Wilfredo Rodriguez — the trail went cold in 1983, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Rodriguez is known to have a violent temper and has been known to possess a knife—what triggered the fatal argument with his relative?
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location
Lead #2Rodriguez has ties to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and California—has he been sighted in any of these locations since 1987?
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evidence
Lead #3What evidence was presented at trial that led to his conviction for murder?
On June 7, 1983, Wilfredo Rodriguez allegedly stabbed a male relative seventeen times following an argument in Irvington, New Jersey. Rodriguez was convicted of murder, sentenced to life in prison, but fled while on bail pending appeal after his conviction was upheld. He remains a federal fugitive wanted for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, with known ties to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and California.
Case
#1136
FBI; Essex County Superior Court of New Jersey; United States District Court, District of New Jersey
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Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Murder, Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree Hindering Apprehension Caution: Wilfredo Rodriguez is wanted for his involvement in the murder of a male relative. On June 7, 1983, Rodriguez allegedly stabbed the man seventeen times in Irvington, New Jersey, after the two had an argument.
Rodriguez was subsequently arrested for this crime, stood trial, was found guilty of murder, and was sentenced to life in prison. Rodriguez was released on bail pending appeal of his conviction but, when the appeal was denied, Rodriguez failed to surrender for confinement.
A bench warrant was issued for his arrest on October 6, 1987, in Essex County by the Superior Court of New Jersey. On May 5, 1988, a federal arrest warrant for Rodriguez was issued by the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Remarks: Rodriguez is known to have a violent temper and has been known to possess a knife in the past. He has ties to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and California.
Timeline of Events
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1983-06-07
Murder committed
Wilfredo Rodriguez allegedly stabbed a male relative seventeen times following an argument in Irvington, New Jersey
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1987-10-06
Bench warrant issued
Essex County Superior Court of New Jersey issued bench warrant for Rodriguez's arrest after he failed to surrender for confinement
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1988-05-05
Federal arrest warrant issued
United States District Court, District of New Jersey issued federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 7, 1983
Last Updated:May 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:June 7, 1983
Last Updated:May 9, 2026