Bethany Man Beaten To Death, Buried In Family's Backyard, Officials Say

A metro man was brutally beaten to death and then buried in his family’s backyard, the state medical examiner's office reported on Tuesday.

Bethany police were called in June when 43-year-old Clifton Taylor’s remains were discovered by a family member.

Bethany police said they have a person of interest, a person who was close to Taylor. However, they can not name a suspect at this time or make an arrest.

The investigation was opened six months ago after skeletal remains were found in the backyard of a home near NW 36th and Mueller Avenue. One month later, police confirmed the remains were Taylor.

The question remained; how did Taylor die?

Investigators and Taylor’s family had to wait for the medical examiner’s findings. A preliminary report released on Tuesday confirmed suspicions that Taylor’s death was in fact a homicide.

“According to the ME report and some of the physical evidence that the investigators had found is there was quite a bit blunt force trauma to the victim, as well as a stab wound,” said Lt. Angelo Orefice, Bethany Police Department.

Taylor was hit in the head, the face and had multiple fractured ribs. The stab wound was to his chest. The state doctor also found injuries on his face and body that happened before Taylor died and were not related to the murder.

Orefice said having the medical examiner’s report was a major piece of the investigation, but other pieces must be in place before they can arrest a person of interest.

“Trying to gather witness statements and getting warrants for telecommunication devices those can take six months before we get information back so that’s stuff that’s starting to come,” said Orefice. “This is one of those investigations that’s just going to take some time.”

The medical examiner’s complete report will be released in January.