A cold case was solved over a decade later after a South Florida man accused of shooting and killing his wife was found in Southern California late last month, police said.

The Miami Gardens Police Department announced this week that 41-year-old Ramone O’Neil Clayton, who was identified as the suspect in the 2012 shooting death of his wife, Stephanie Ulette Clayton, was arrested after he was found by local and federal authorities in San Diego in October.

Ramone Clayton is currently being held without bond at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Central Jail in California, pending extradition. Though there are no official charges filed at this time, the arrest warrant issued for his capture said he was facing second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Miami Gardens Police said.

A 13-year-old Florida cold case closes

On Sept. 23, 2012, around 4:10 a.m., Ramone Clayton allegedly shot and killed his wife, Stephanie Clayton, during a gathering at 2490 NW 207th St. in Miami Gardens, before fleeing the area. 

Police said the couple began arguing at the party, the fight turned physical, and Clayton pushed his wife to the ground before shooting her in the head. 

Several witnesses identified him as the offender and an arrest warrant was issued, Miami Gardens Police said.

Since then, Miami Gardens Police detectives and agents from the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force have tried to find Clayton, but had been unsuccessful in their search.

Arrest in San Diego

Thirteen years later, on Oct. 24, 2025, detectives from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Gang Task Force notified Miami Gardens Police that they had received a tip about Clayton’s whereabouts in San Diego. Three days later, Clayton was arrested at his San Diego home by detectives from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force, FBI agents and U.S. Marshals.

“He said, ‘You got me.’ That’s what was his exact words,” said Jeremy McIntyre, a Miami Gardens homicide cold case detective.

Years living under the radar

Detectives said Clayton had been living under the radar for years. 

“He was actually living in Delaware prior to that. And we learned that he actually had fake Jamaican ID, government ID that he was living under all this time. So he just stayed under the radar for years and worked like little handyman jobs, and things like that,” McIntyre said.

Family reacts to arrest

Stephanie Clayton’s family said the arrest is a relief, but it also brings up feelings of anger.

“You see her freshly, like she died all over. And it’s like we have to keep going over everything,” said the victim’s sister.

“It hurt. And I honestly [hope] that one day he will be able to hear my voice and see my face and understand that he hurt me in a way where you can’t take it back,” said the victim’s daughter.

Clayton’s sister also shared that their mother died after Stephanie was killed.

At this time, Miami Gardens Police have not provided any additional details as the investigation continues.

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