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Former Gay Adult Film Star Trace Michaels Arrested for 2010 Murder

Former Adult Entertainment Stud Arrested for 2010 Murder

New information in the execution-style murder fingered Aaron Michael Dobbins, who performed as Michaels.

Police in Florida arrested a former adult film performer for the 12-year-old execution-style killing of a gay man.

Aaron Michael Dobbins, 51, was taken into custody by the Broward Sheriff's Office last month and charged with a single count of first-degree murder for the brutal killing of Alfred "Chad" McMurray. Police discovered the body of McMurray, 31, in his Oakland Park home on August 30, 2010, face down with his hands tied behind his back and suffering from a single gunshot wound to the back of his head. BSO said DNA matching Dobbins was found under McMurray's fingernails.

"In 2010, detectives conducted numerous interviews and gathered evidence at the murder scene but were unable to identify a clear suspect," BSO said in a statement announcing the arrest. "However, in May 2022, new information led homicide investigators to identify a possible suspect, Aaron Michael Dobbins. A search warrant for Dobbin's DNA and subsequent testing found that his DNA matched the evidence gathered 12 years ago."

According to the arrest record reported by local ABC affiliate WPLG, Dobbins knew McMurray through his boyfriend at the time, gay adult film model John Navarro. In addition to his modeling activities, Navarro also provided paid massages using the name Mr. Muscle Stud. McMurray employed Navarro for massages on multiple occasions, and Navarro told authorities he and McMurray had engaged in group sex with Dobbins and another man on at least one occasion.

Navarro said he had been in a five-year relationship with Dobbins, whom he described as "very jealous." Dobbins, for his part, told investigators recently he had no recollection of McMurray or the alleged foursome, although he later changed his story to say he had no recollection of the group sex. When confronted with the DNA evidence, BSO says Dobbins suggested it might have been there because McMurray beat him.

Dobbins performed for years under the name Trace Michaels. He had a large following online, performing as both a top and a power bottom in massage-oriented videos. Some of his more memorable film moments include Girth and Trace, Hot Massage Sex With His Client, and [menover30] Tool Box.

Dobbins remains in custody in the Broward County Jail. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted, with the death penalty possible under certain conditions.

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