Portland Police Arrest Man in 2017 Killing of Sunao 'Tom' Yamada
The charge follows a renewed cold‑case push that drew on federal and state support.
Overview
- Police identified Stephen Versluis Jr., 42, as the suspect and said he is held at the Cumberland County Jail.
- Yamada was found near the intersection of Temple and Federal streets in September 2017, a death later ruled a homicide.
- Detectives in 2025 reviewed surveillance video, conducted dozens of interviews, and recirculated a composite sketch to develop new leads.
- The FBI Boston Cold Case Team, the Maine State Police crime lab, and the state attorney general’s office assisted with the investigation.
- Police described Yamada, who lacked stable housing, as kind and well known in Portland, and they continue to ask the public to share tips.