Suspect in 2017 Portland Homicide Appears in Court

Stephen Versluis Jr. charged with murder in death of Sunao 'Tom' Yamada

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:24pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of physical evidence related to the 2017 Portland homicide, such as a discarded cigarette butt or a crumpled piece of paper, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, investigative aesthetic.A stark, gritty close-up of a key piece of physical evidence in the 2017 homicide investigation exposes the sudden, nocturnal nature of the crime.Portland Today

Stephen Versluis Jr., 42, made his first court appearance on Friday in Cumberland County Superior Court in Portland, Maine. Versluis is charged with one count of murder in the 2017 death of Sunao 'Tom' Yamada, whose body was found in downtown Portland that September. Versluis' attorney, Matthew Crockett, said he believes the police have 'the wrong guy', while Versluis' girlfriend, Cat Work, said she doesn't think he knew Yamada and wasn't at the crime scene.

Why it matters

This case from 2017 has remained unsolved for over 8 years, and the arrest of Versluis brings new attention to the homicide and the challenges of investigating cold cases. Yamada's death was a tragedy for the Portland community, and this development will likely raise questions about the police investigation and the criminal justice system's ability to provide closure for victims' families.

The details

Versluis, 42, was arrested at the Maine State Prison before being transported to the Cumberland County Jail on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of murder in Yamada's death, but has not yet entered a plea. Versluis' bail was set at $500,000 with conditions that he not possess any weapons and comply with random searches. His next court appearance is tentatively scheduled for July 31.

  • Yamada's body was found in downtown Portland in September 2017.
  • Versluis was arrested this week and made his first court appearance on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Stephen Versluis Jr.

A 42-year-old Maine man who was charged this week with the 2017 murder of Sunao 'Tom' Yamada in Portland.

Matthew Crockett

The attorney representing Stephen Versluis Jr. in the murder case.

Cat Work

The girlfriend of Stephen Versluis Jr., who said she does not believe he knew Yamada or was at the crime scene.

Sunao 'Tom' Yamada

The victim who was found dead in downtown Portland in September 2017. Friends remembered him as a kind man and sports enthusiast who struggled with homelessness.

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What they’re saying

“Based on my review of what they've given me so far and my conversations with my client, I believe, like he does, that they have the wrong guy.”

— Matthew Crockett, Attorney for Stephen Versluis Jr.

“I seriously hope that they catch the person who did it.”

— Cat Work, Girlfriend of Stephen Versluis Jr.

What’s next

Versluis' next court appearance is tentatively scheduled for July 31, where he will have the opportunity to enter a plea. The investigation into Yamada's 2017 death will likely continue as authorities work to build their case against Versluis.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases and providing closure for victims' families, even years after a tragic incident. The arrest of Versluis has reopened old wounds for the Portland community, and the outcome of this case will be closely watched as it moves through the criminal justice system.