Modern forensics lead to charges in 1985 Ohio murder of traveling salesman
12 reported
Items found behind a Georgia Cracker Barrel restaurant in 1985 have led to charges against a suspect in an Ohio killing from that time, according to investigators. The case involves John Warren, a traveling salesman from Dalton, Georgia, who was found dead in his hotel room in Middletown, Ohio, on 17 October 1985. Authorities said modern forensic testing on evidence collected decades ago helped identify a suspect. The suspect, 62-year-old Randy McAllister of Columbus, Ohio, was indicted on murder and aggravated murder charges and pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $500,000. An alleged accomplice is now dead, according to the prosecutor.
What’s reported
John Warren, of Dalton, Georgia, was a traveling salesman for an auto parts company.
He stayed at the Holiday Inn in Middletown, Ohio, on 16 October 1985 and was found dead the next day.
His 1985 Oldsmobile and other belongings were taken.
Some of Warren’s property and “other relevant items” were found behind a Cracker Barrel in Dalton, Georgia, within days.
Warren’s car was located in Redington Beach, Florida.
The sheriff’s office re-examined the murder in 2019 and submitted items from the hotel room, car, and Cracker Barrel for crime lab analysis.
The analysis led to identifying 62-year-old Randy McAllister as a potential suspect.
McAllister was indicted for murder and aggravated murder and jailed on 1 July 2026.
He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Tuesday, with bail set at $500,000.
An assistant county prosecutor said Warren was fatally strangled and beaten before his car and property were stolen.
McAllister has prior convictions for aggravated robbery and felonious assault in 1985 and 1992.
Under Ohio law, McAllister faces life imprisonment if convicted of aggravated murder.
Key figures
John Warren: victim, traveling salesman from Dalton, Georgia
David Fornshell: local county prosecutor in Middletown, Ohio
Randy McAllister: 62-year-old suspect from Columbus, Ohio
Judge Robert Peeler: set bail at $500,000
Sources: The Guardian
