HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – In the wake of a tragic incident, Huntington Police Chief Phil Watkins has confirmed that his department is actively investigating a double murder-suicide that has shocked the community.
The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Clyde Crawford from Huntington, was discovered deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the banks of the Ohio River close to McClelland Park on Friday afternoon. Crawford was allegedly responsible for the shooting deaths of his wife, 51-year-old Sharon Crawford, and her daughter, 26-year-old Alexis Beard, on North Staunton Road. The violent act also left a 20-month-old baby girl injured, further deepening the tragedy.
Chief Watkins has stated that the incident appears to be rooted in a domestic relationship between the suspect and his wife. However, authorities have not yet disclosed a specific motive behind the horrific crimes.
In the pursuit of justice, Huntington Police collaborated with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, employing a K-9 team to track a scent from the crime scene. Through the efforts of a bloodhound named “Bailey,” officers were eventually led to the location where Clyde Crawford’s body was found on the riverbank at McClelland Park.
To further bolster the investigation, additional support was provided by various law enforcement agencies including the West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, A.T.F., and the West Virginia Division of Corrections Probation and Parole Service.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, law enforcement officials are working diligently to piece together the details surrounding the double murder-suicide, offering support and resources to those affected by the senseless violence.