Clifton Suicide

CLIFTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/12/2015 at 11:17:14

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Monday, March 12, 2007

APPARENT
SUICIDE ON EAST
ST. LAST TUESDAY

Grinnell were called last Tuesday, March 6, to the site on southern East St. of an apparent suicide.

The body of Ray Clifton of 302 East St., Apt. B, was found in a chair in the apartment building's parking lot, apparently dead of a gun-shot wound. Authorities said they were working under the assumption, pending a medical examiner's finding, that the wound was self-inflicted.

"The case is not closed until the autopsy report is filed," said Chief Jody Matherly of the Grinnell Police Department. "But we have no information leading to a conclusion other than that at this point."

Police received the call at 7 a.m., but the shooting may have occurred as early as late on Monday, March 6.

The outdoor scene of the shooting meant police had to take pains to shield the site from the public--especially young people bound for Grinnell Middle School along East St. that morning. Officers pulled cars in close to obscure the site from view and covered the body with a sheet till they could complete their investigation.

"We did it as quickly and thoroughly and discreetly as we could," said Matherly of the public investigation.