An arrest has been made 23 years after a Dublin furniture salesman was found murdered.
Richard Woods' body was discovered in a ditch in Warren County in 1992. The suspect in the case will finally go before a judge Wednesday.
SWAT teams surrounded a Phoenix home at 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning and arrested Sam Perone for Wood’s death.
Perone is a former Ohioan, also in the furniture business.
“That was exactly to the day 23 years ago Dick was murdered,” Wood’s widow Sue Woods Schneier said.
All of this dredges up a past nightmare for Woods' widow. In 1992, they had a great life, four wonderful children and Richard was driven and successful.
“He did about $9 million in furniture sales out of our home,” Schneier said.
He'd been gone for two days on business and was hitting one last appointment being heading home.
“He said he'd be home 8 or 8:30,” Schneier said.
But the clock ticked past that time, further and further.
“One of those really awful nights where it’s so rainy and so murky out,” Schneier said.
Schneier panicked, called around to authorities and then checked Woods’ office voicemail.
“He said he was going to Just Living Rooms and my heart sank,” Schneier said.
Just Living Rooms was a furniture store owned by Perone's wife.
Woods had steered clear of Perone for a while after a strange encounter he'd had. Schneier told detectives Perone had taken Woods out to his new property.
“He said ‘you know, I could blow your brains out right now and nobody would ever find you,’” Schneier said.
Woods’ car was found shortly after he disappeared at a rest stop. A month later, his body turned up.
“He was found beside the road in a ditch,” Schneier said. “Dick was shot in the back of the head.”
Schneier said the investigation was slow initially and then it went cold.
But nine years ago, it was reopened because of new technology and new discoveries. That investigation eventually lead to the arrest of Perone.
“It was just an incredible thing to do to someone who was such a nice person,” Schneier said.
Schneider chokes up over all Woods missed.
“To only go to one college graduation when we've had four, to never see a grandchild born,” she said.
But also, finally, a sense of peace.
“Very relieved that I can now talk about it and go forward,” Schneier said.
Perone was extradited back to Ohio. He's being held without bond and will be arraigned in a Warren County court Wednesday morning.