Murder suspect gave police different names

Published 3:05 pm Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Authorities say the man arrested in connection with the murder of a woman in Pelham goes by several different names.

Juan Ramirez is being held on $500,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail, but he was arrested under the name Juan Rodriguez.

Pelham Police Lt. Scott Tucker said Ramirez gave investigators different names while being questioned.

“Rodriguez was one of names he provided us as well as several dozen other names,” Tucker said.

Investigators discovered Ramirez’s true identity after linking him to a previous criminal charge.

Ramirez, 34, has been charged with the murder of Wendy Louise Starnes, 33, of Montevallo. Officers discovered Starnes’ body outside a Pelham mobile home in the 100 block of Oliver Street on March 11. Police suspect a domestic dispute led to Starnes’ death.