Mother of Murdered Wyandotte Man Finds Closure in Conviction

As police began closing in on her son's murderer, Yvette Alvarado of Wyandotte held onto her secret with both hands.

Even after an arrest was made, Alvarado remained quiet.

But now, she doesn't need to anymore.

Christopher Doyle pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Alvarado's son, Enrique "Ricky" Zepeda Jr., on Feb. 7. He also pleaded guilty to felony firearm and carjacking.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Megan Brennan sentenced Doyle on March 21 to 25 to 60 years on the murder charge and an additional two years on the felony firearm conviction. Brennan also sentenced him to 18 to 30 years on the carjacking charge, but those years will run concurrently with the murder conviction. 

Alvarado said she could finally tell friends and family that her son's murderer had been brought to justice.

"I didn't want to affect the investigation by telling people about (Christopher) Doyle," Alvarado said.

Alvarado said she followed her son's murder investigation without falter; calling the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office so many times she said they knew her by name.

"This is a result of divine intervention and a determined mother," Alvarado said.

in the 1500 block of Military in southwest Detroit.

Zepeda, a 2007 Roosevelt High School graduate, was a standout wrestler who went on to attend Henry Ford Community College.

"He wasn't a gang-banger," Alvarado said. "He didn't carry a gun. He was a good student."

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