A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Halloween 1982 cold case slaying of a southern Indiana man, state police announced Tuesday on the 41st anniversary of the crime.
Detectives arrested a 61-year-old Seymour man on a charge of murder in the shooting death of Clifford Smith, 24, on Oct. 31, 1982, police said.
Two animal trappers found Smith’s body on Dec. 1 of that year along the White River just north of Seymour, according to police. Smith’s wife had reported him missing on Nov. 4.
Investigators determined Smith died from a gunshot wound to his head.
Sgt. Kip Main began investigating the case in September 2015 and learned the suspect was at a home with Smith and other people on Oct. 30, 1982, police said.
The suspect got a shotgun from the house, loaded it and left the home in a car with Smith, according to police. Smith was not seen alive again.
As a result of the investigation, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who was taken into custody Thursday, police said.