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Rachel Kennedy continues to grapple with the tragic loss of her brother, Joshua Sutter, who lost his life after a violent confrontation with his roommate, Ricardo Medina Jr., known for his role in the ‘Power Rangers’ franchise. Medina fatally stabbed Sutter with a sword, an act that has left a haunting impact on Kennedy.
Kennedy spoke with Fox News Digital, expressing her frustration and confusion regarding the circumstances surrounding her brother’s death. She stated, “I don’t understand how, especially in California, someone could get away with this. I guess I’ll never know. Maybe, one day, I will find the answers. What would persuade anyone to release such a madman, a monster? What are the factors? Was it because he was somewhat of a celebrity?… It just makes no sense.”
Medina’s case is under investigation and will be featured on an episode of Investigation Discovery’s program titled “Hollywood Demons.” The series, which includes insights from Dr. Drew Pinsky, aims to investigate the darker sides of fame and celebrity life.
“My brother has been portrayed as something he’s not,” Kennedy asserted. “He’s a victim… And I will always stand up for him.” While Medina will not appear in the series, Fox News Digital attempted to reach the 47-year-old actor for comment.
In an interview, Stanley L. Friedman, who represented Medina during the case, claimed, “I was hired after a preliminary hearing for murder and related weapon enhancement. At that time, Ricky faced a potential sentence of 26 years to life in prison. Our defense team conducted a thorough investigation and proposed mitigating circumstances to the district attorney, ultimately resulting in a settlement for one count of voluntary manslaughter with a six-year determinate sentence.”
Medina gained notoriety as the Red Lion Wild Force Ranger in the 2002 series “Power Rangers Wild Force” and lent his voice to Deker in “Power Rangers Samurai” during 2011 and 2012. He also had roles in popular shows such as “ER” and “CSI: Miami.”
In 2014, Rachel Kennedy met Medina through a dating app. They quickly bonded over their mutual affection for dogs; at the time, she owned a pet shop, while Medina was working as a dog trainer, omitting details about his celebrity status.
Initially, Kennedy viewed Medina as a perfect match, stating, “I thought he really loved animals and seemed to know a lot about dogs. My first impression was really good.” After a couple of dates, however, she concluded that they were not romantically compatible. Thinking about creating a sanctuary for rescued dogs in early 2015, Kennedy remembered Medina’s expertise and reached out to him for help.
During this period, Medina was involved with another girlfriend but showed enthusiasm for Kennedy’s project. According to the episode, Medina suggested renting a ranch in California’s Green Valley, which was available for her endeavors. “I thought it was perfect,” Kennedy recalled. “I said, ‘I’ll send the lease. I just need you to help take care of the animals.’ He was on board and seemed committed.”
Ultimately, they signed a deal where Medina could live rent-free in exchange for helping care for the rescue animals. However, this arrangement rapidly deteriorated. Kennedy later described the property as “always in disarray” and “filthy.”
She claimed that Medina would often retreat to his room, becoming intensely private and protective of his space. This behavior alarmed Kennedy, prompting her to confront him about the state of the animals. During this confrontation, she said Medina issued a frightening threat to abandon the pets in the wild.
In a panic, Kennedy requested her brother to move to the ranch, believing he could watch over Medina and ensure the animals were cared for properly. However, the situation escalated further when Kennedy returned to the ranch with Sutter the next day. Medina offered apologies, but the tension remained.
Despite her brother’s apparent affinity for the ranch, he often felt isolated and wished for a friendship with Medina. “My brother loved it up there… He wanted to be his friend,” Kennedy said. However, underlying tensions led her to discuss eviction plans with the landlord, aiming to remove Medina by February 1, 2015, just a day too late.
On January 31, 2015, Sutter spoke with their father about plans for organic gardening at the ranch when a dispute broke out between him and Medina, leading to the latter stabbing Sutter with a sword. Following the incident, Medina called the police, who subsequently arrested him after medical personnel pronounced Sutter dead.
In recounting the events, Kennedy expressed her awareness that Medina possessed the sword, stating, “I had given my brother a BB gun to ward off coyotes and asked Ricardo if he wanted one too. He insisted that he always had his sword for protection.”
She added, “Coping hasn’t become a reality for me yet because there are no groups or resources for someone dealing with such immense loss. It was so horrific.”
According to reports, Medina was released initially after prosecutors determined insufficient evidence existed to charge him. Yet, less than a year later, he was arrested again, this time for murder.
Friedman later claimed the conflict was triggered by tensions over Medina’s girlfriend, culminating in an argument that led to the tragic confrontation. He argued that, fearing for their safety, Medina acted in self-defense when he stabbed Sutter.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Medina eventually pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a move designed to circumvent the risk of a life sentence. He received a six-year prison sentence in 2017 and was released on parole in 2020.
Medina publicly expressed remorse for the incident, stating he is deeply sorry, extending his sympathies to the Sutter family. Meanwhile, Kennedy feels compelled to share her brother’s story, making certain that he is not forgotten. “I find myself disheartened when seeing people trivializing how my brother died, claiming he deserved it. This should not have happened,” she asserted.
In light of the catastrophic consequences, Rachel Kennedy’s commitment to her brother’s memory stands as a testament to the profound sense of injustice surrounding Joshua Sutter’s death.
