JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. — A man from Seymour, Indiana was arrested Tuesday on charges related to a decades-old Halloween cold case that ended in another man's death, according to an Indiana State Police (ISP) news release.
Clifford Smith, 24, was shot and killed in rural Jackson County on Oct. 31, 1982. Exactly 41 years later, Ronald J. Anderson, 61, was arrested and charged with murder.
"I'm glad that they finally are bringing a closure to this, allowing us to let our brother rest in peace," Leonard Smith, Clifford's brother, said.
In December 1982, Clifford's body was found by two animal trappers along the White River near Rockford, just north of Seymour. He had been reported missing by his wife on Nov. 4, 1982. Officials determined he died after being shot in the head.
Detectives investigated the death in 1982 but no arrests were made at the time. Over the years, the case was passed to new investigators to examine the case. Sgt. Kip Main has actively investigated the case since September 2015.
"Combining it with more recent investigative techniques, and it ultimately led to where we had enough information to present the case to a prosecutor," Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said.
Main’s investigation determined Anderson was at a residence on East 13th Street with Clifford and others in the evening of Oct. 30, 1982. Investigators believe Anderson retrieved a shotgun from the house, loaded it and left the residence in a vehicle with Clifford.
After the two left, no one ever saw Clifford alive again. Investigators believe Anderson was responsible for Clifford's death.
"We've always said that's who done it; our whole family knew that he done it," Leonard said.
According to ISP officials, Anderson allegedly returned the murder weapon back to the home on 13th Street and returned to the crime scene soon after to hide potential evidence.
As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant for murder was recently issued for Anderson. He was arrested at his home without incident.
Anderson is currently housed at the Jackson County Jail.
"I imagine it's kind of a sigh of relief after all these years to finally get that word that an arrest has been made in the death of their loved one," Wheeles said.
He said Indiana State Police hopes to provide answers to other families with cold cases.
It is unclear why Clifford was killed in the first place.
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