Police arrest man exactly 41 years after he allegedly shot, killed 24-year-old victim in Indiana

Detectives arrested a 61-year-old man Tuesday, precisely 41 years after he allegedly shot and killed a 24-year-old man in Indiana, officers mentioned. 

Ronald J. Anderson allegedly shot Clifford Smith within the head on Oct. 31, 1982, Indiana State Police mentioned. Smith’s spouse reported him lacking on Nov. 4. Two animal trappers discovered Smith’s physique in rural Jackson County on Dec. 1 of that 12 months.

Police have unsuccessfully investigated the case through the years, with new officers analyzing the case as time has handed. 

“The Indiana State Police is dedicated to fixing beforehand unsolved instances to offer closure to the household and to make an arrest so these answerable for these crimes are held accountable and prosecuted in courtroom,” officers mentioned within the arrest announcement. 

Sgt. Kip Important started actively investigating the case in September 2015, police mentioned. Kip decided that Anderson and Smith had been at a house together with a number of others late at evening on Oct. 30, 1982. His investigation revealed that Anderson retrieved a shotgun from the home and loaded it. Police mentioned Anderson, who nonetheless had the loaded gun, left the residence in a automobile with Smith. 

Anderson allegedly tried to cowl up the homicide by returning the gun to the house and hiding potential proof on the crime scene, officers mentioned. 

Officers had spoken with Anderson previously, together with shortly after Smith’s dying, an Indiana State Police spokesman mentioned. Officers have been largely capable of file fees in opposition to Anderson now due to a brand new detective going over the case, conducting new interviews and analyzing beforehand collected proof.

A police spokesperson mentioned their coverage is to not share data on a attainable motive.

Police arrested Anderson at his Seymour, Indiana, dwelling with out incident on Tuesday. He was transported to the Jackson County Jail.