A Maryland man has been arrested in connection with the murder of his wife, a case that had remained unsolved for over 20 years.

Dwight “DJ” Rust Jr. was apprehended on Tuesday, facing charges linked to the 2002 death of his wife, Michelle Rust, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

Initially, Dwight Rust reported that on July 20, 2002, his 24-year-old wife left their home around 9:30 a.m. to purchase supplies for their son’s third birthday party. This was the last time she was reportedly seen.

However, after interviewing multiple witnesses, investigators concluded that Michelle Rust never left her residence in Halethorpe before she went missing.

The Baltimore County Police Department took Dwight “DJ” Rust Jr. into custody on April 21, 2026, charging him with first-degree murder in connection with Michelle Rust’s death.

Later on the day of her disappearance, Michelle’s green 1998 Dodge Caravan was found abandoned by her father-in-law. The vehicle was discovered near Zion Avenue and Clyde Avenue, with the key broken off in the driver’s side door. Despite this find, Michelle Rust herself was never located.

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Michelle Rust, 24, was last seen leaving her home to get supplies for her 3-year-old son’s birthday party around 9:30 a.m. on July 20, 2002, according to authorities. (Baltimore County Police Department)

Members of her family insisted she “was a dedicated mother and daughter” and “would not have disappeared on her own,” leading investigators to determine she was a victim of foul play, police said.

Michelle Rust’s abandoned green 1998 Dodge Caravan was found with the key broken off in the driver’s side door near Zion Avenue and Clyde Avenue in Baltimore County, Md., on July 20, 2002. (Baltimore County Police Department)

The case ran cold for 24 years, until authorities announced Dwight Rust had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Baltimore County on Tuesday. 

Authorities did not provide additional details regarding what led them to Dwight Rust.

He was subsequently booked into the Baltimore County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail. 

The Baltimore County Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.