The 16-Year Pursuit: A Detective’s Unbreakable Oath to Solve Rodney Castlin’s Murder
On a chilling night in December 2000, the quiet halls of the Wingate Inn in Cobb County, Georgia, became the backdrop for a senseless crime. Two armed robbers stormed the hotel, one vaulting over the front counter and leaving behind a crucial clue—a fingerprint. Then, with a single gunshot to the chest, they ended the life of 36-year-old night manager Rodney Castlin. Their bounty? A mere $304.
Rodney Castlin was more than just an employee; he was a devoted husband and father. He worked nights so he could take business classes during the day, striving for a better future for his family. But that future was cruelly stolen. His wife, Kelley Castlin, was eight months pregnant when she received the devastating news, left to raise their young son and unborn child without him.
That same night, a promise was made.
Detective John Dawes, then a forensic investigator, looked into Kelley’s tear-filled eyes and vowed to find the man responsible. It was a promise that would take him on a relentless 16-year journey, transforming from investigator to lead homicide detective, and later to head of the Cobb County Cold Case Unit. And through it all, one case never left his mind.
The Frustrating Trail of a Ghost
The fingerprint left at the crime scene was a rare stroke of luck. Most armed robbers take precautions—gloves, masks, anything to avoid detection. Yet this one, in his reckless haste, left behind a tangible piece of himself.
When the print was first run through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) in early 2001, it yielded no matches. As the years passed, the case grew colder. But Dawes refused to let it fade. In 2012, a breakthrough arrived—an informant, a federal prisoner, claimed to know something about a hotel murder that took place “12 years ago at a place with ‘Win’ in the name.”
Dawes seized the lead and, with renewed determination, re-ran the fingerprint. This time, the system delivered a name: James Lorenzo Randolph. A known criminal, Randolph had been arrested in South Carolina just weeks after Castlin’s murder for another armed robbery. He had spent years in prison, walking free again only in 2010 or 2011. But now, Dawes had him in his sights.
The Final Push for Justice
With Randolph identified, the case still lacked the final piece—undeniable evidence to tie him to the crime. A key witness, the getaway driver, held that piece. Dawes tracked him down, verifying his alibi and securing his cooperation in exchange for immunity. The witness’ testimony, paired with the fingerprint, was enough to move forward.
In 2014, Dawes finally saw the moment he had been working toward for over a decade. On October 6, in Columbia, South Carolina, James Lorenzo Randolph was arrested. Dawes personally made the call to Kelley Castlin, delivering the long-awaited words: “We got him.”
The trial in 2016 was a testament to the tireless work of Dawes and his team. As the courtroom filled with emotion, the judge announced the sentence—three life terms plus 35 years. Randolph tried to muster a half-hearted apology: “I’m sorry, man.” But Dawes, having looked into the eyes of true remorse and deception for years, knew better. “The man doesn’t know remorse,” he later said.
A Legacy of Hope
For Dawes, this case was more than just another file in the cold case unit—it was a promise fulfilled. Solving Rodney Castlin’s murder wasn’t just about justice for one family; it was about proving that no case is ever truly forgotten.
The story of Rodney Castlin’s murder and the detective who refused to give up will be featured in an episode of Cold Case Files on A&E in 2023. And for families still waiting for answers, this case stands as a beacon of hope. As Dawes put it, “They didn’t forget about that case. They were able to resolve that case. Hopefully, they’re working on mine.”
