Suspect Arrested in Tester Homicide
This evening, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives investigating the homicide of Robert Tester, assisted by U.S. Marshals, arrested 22-year-old John A. Radavich for 1st Degree Murder at an apartment in Spokane Valley.
The investigation began on September 6, 2016, when deputies responded to a residence located in the 16100 block of South Keeney Road in Southwest Spokane County. Deputies located the deceased body of Robert Tester lying in a pool of blood inside the residence. They also located the victim’s 8-year-old daughter inside and uninjured.
Spokane County Major Crime Detectives, along with the Spokane County Forensics Unit, were called to conduct the investigation and process the extremely bloody and gruesome scene for evidence.
Detectives learned the victim’s daughter witnessed a portion of the brutal murder but could not identify the suspect who was wearing an all black outfit with the majority of his face covered. She attempted to call 911 and other family members but was unable to make contact with anyone. Several hours later, she was able to make contact with a family member who immediately called 911.
During the months’ long investigation, detectives learned Tester had a 17-year-old girlfriend who he assaulted the day before the murder. During the last week of 2016, detectives received information from a friend of Radavich. The friend stated Radavich confessed to killing Tester during a phone call he had recorded and provided a copy of the call to detectives.
During the call, the male, identified as Radavich by the friend, explained he killed Tester because Tester was abusing his 17-year-old girlfriend and he had to take care of it by killing Tester.
Through the investigation, detectives also learned Radavich was an ex-boyfriend of the 17-year-old female and she contacted Radavich after she was assaulted by Tester on September 5th.
This afternoon, Radavich was located at an apartment complex located in the 12900 block of East Mansfield in Spokane Valley. With the assistance of U.S. Marshals, detectives contacted Radavich and safely took him into custody.
Radavich was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 1st Degree Murder.
This is still an active investigation and no further information is available at this time.