Kentucky Derby murder still unsolved three years later

LOUISVILLE, Ky (WDRB) -- It's business as usual on the backside of Churchill Downs as workers and trainers prepare horses for Kentucky Derby 141. But a feeling of loss lingers around barn eight, where police say 48-year-old Adan Perez was murdered on May 6, 2012.

Perez was from Guatemala.

“He worked for a trainer. Sometimes they live a transient lifestyle where they go from track to track,” Lt. Todd Kessinger, LMPD Homicide, told WDRB.

Lt. Kessinger says for that reason and because of a language barrier with potential witnesses, it's been a challenging case to work but he's confident an arrest will be made.

"The case has been worked consistently since the time it happened,” he said.

He says his detectives get closer to solving it every year.

“We do have leads on it. You'll have the same groups of people come back to Churchill Downs so it kind of gets fired up and we start getting information this time of the year, every year,” said Lt. Kessinger.

John Asher with Churchill Downs says the backside of the track is like a little city. About 600 people live there.

"I would hope the people who live back here and work back here are comfortable but obviously it would be a great thing for peace of mind for them, for us and for everyone,” said Asher.

Adan Perez's son still works there.

"Everyone felt for him when this happened and he's part of the family back here,” Asher told WDRB.

Asher says a few changes have been made since the murder.

“We did beef up security, not just for derby time but we added some officers on a meet long basis."

While no arrests have been made, those at Churchill Downs hold out hope.

"There would be nothing more positive than closing the case and finding a suspect and seeing that person come to justice,” said Asher.

A cause of death was never released to the public and no suspects have been named.

Police believe robbery could have been the offender's motive.

If you have information about Adan Perez's murder, you can give an anonymous tip by calling 574-LMPD.