Man pleads guilty to murdering 74-year-old in the Cleveland Metroparks

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Man Accused of Killing 74-Year-Old in Cleveland Metroparks Awaits Trial After Pleading Not Guilty

CLEVELAND, OH – June 20, 2025 – A 23-year-old man accused of the brutal murder of a 74-year-old in the Cleveland Metroparks last year is currently awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to a series of charges, including aggravated murder. The case, which shocked the local community, is steadily moving through the Cuyahoga County court system.

Viktor Vendler stands accused of the September 2023 slaying of Leroy Johnston, whose body was discovered in a remote area of the Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville. An autopsy later confirmed that Johnston had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

In a court appearance in June of last year, Vendler, through his legal counsel, entered a plea of not guilty to a multi-count indictment. The charges against him include two counts of aggravated murder, one count of kidnapping, one count of tampering with evidence, and one count of gross abuse of a corpse.

According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, investigators believe that on September 24, 2023, Vendler lured Johnston to the reservation, where the fatal shooting occurred. Johnston’s body was not found until six days later, on September 30, when a couple walking their dog off the established trails made the grim discovery.

Cleveland Metroparks Police led the extensive investigation that ultimately linked Vendler to the crime, leading to his arrest in late May 2024. Authorities have indicated that Vendler and Johnston were acquaintances, though a definitive motive for the killing has not been publicly disclosed.

Following his indictment, a judge set Vendler’s bond at $1 million. As a condition of his pre-trial release, he is prohibited from having any contact with the family of Leroy Johnston.

The case has drawn significant attention from the community, with many expressing their sorrow for the victim and their desire for justice. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and a trial date has not yet been finalized. Both the prosecution and the defense are now in the process of preparing their cases for what is expected to be a closely watched trial in Cuyahoga County.

A summary of the key facts in the case:

• Victim: Leroy Johnston, 74
• Defendant: Viktor Vendler, 23
• Location of Crime: Mill Stream Run Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, Strongsville
• Date of Crime: Believed to be September 24, 2023
• Charges: Aggravated Murder (two counts), Kidnapping, Tampering with Evidence, Gross Abuse of a Corpse
• Plea: Not Guilty (entered in June 2024)

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as they become available.