Police await medical report on suspicious death

Published 11:28 am Thursday, November 11, 2021

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The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office is still awaiting further details in its investigation into the suspicious death of a county resident who was found deceased in his home Oct. 4.

An Oct. 4 sheriff’s office news release stated that at approximately 1:23 p.m. that day, the Isle of Wight County 911 center received a call concerning an unresponsive male in a residence in the 13000 block of Bethany Church Road. 

The release stated that a neighbor was at that location to cut the grass for the man who resides in the home. That neighbor, when attempting to contact the homeowner, made the call to 911, police said.

Upon the arrival of sheriff’s office personnel, 62-year-old Donald Clarke was found deceased in the home, the release stated, noting that investigators believed circumstances of a suspicious nature existed. 

An Oct. 6 sheriff’s office release stated that an autopsy was performed by the medical examiner in Norfolk. 

“At this time, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner has not issued a cause and manner of death,” officials stated in the release.

Capt. Tommy Potter, public information officer with the sheriff’s office, responded Nov. 4 to an inquiry from the Windsor Weekly, indicating that there were no new major details in the investigation to report thus far.

“At this time, I have no additional information to share,” he said. “We are currently waiting for the report from the medical examiner’s office.”

The most recent update prior to this came in the Oct. 6 release. 

The sheriff’s office had been attempting to locate a 2006 Toyota Avalon belonging to Clarke and missing from his home when his body was discovered by law enforcement, the release stated. That vehicle was recovered in Newport News on Oct. 6, police said.

The release noted that investigators continue to investigate the death of Clarke as suspicious. At the time of the discovery of his body, it was apparent to law enforcement that someone had entered the residence by force and that items were missing from the home in addition to Clarke’s vehicle, past press releases have stated.

Investigators continue to ask for help in this incident, the release stated in conclusion. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip at P3tips.com.