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Lorain Police arrest suspect in the January disappearance and murder of Michelle Opaliski

Robert Cruz, 54, of Lorain is currently being held and is charged with murder.
Credit: Lorain Police Dept

LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain Police Detective Bureau has arrested a man in connection to the January disappearance and murder of Michelle Opaliski. 

According to a press release sent out on Tuesday morning, officers have arrested 54-year-old Lorain-resident Robert Cruz and the man has been charged with Opaliski's murder. 

On January 18, the Lorain PD first took a missing person report for Opaliski and asked for the public's help due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman's disappearance. 

RELATED: Lorain police asking public for help in locating missing woman

A tip from the public helped to locate Opaliski's vehicle on Shawnee Drive in Lorain, which led to officers finding a large amount of blood near the site. On January 22, Opaliski's body was found near the Sacred Heart Chapel on Pearl Avenue in Lorain, with injuries inconsistent to natural death. 

During that time, police had identified Mr. Cruz as a person of interest in the woman's disappearance. 

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Lorain PD says that the investigation is ongoing and detectives encourage anyone who may have additional information regarding the case to reach out to Detective Sergeant Angello at (440) 204-2105.

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