Sheriff’s Department Closes File On Claxton Case
According
to Scott County Sheriff’s Mike Cross, the Sheriff’s Department has officially
closed the case file on the disappearance and death of 24-year-old David A. Claxton,
the Robbins man whose skeletal remains were found on October 17, 2011 near his
last known residence on
While the case has been closed, the exact cause of Claxton’s death was never determined. “There is no physical or forensic evidence to suggest that Mr. Claxton was murdered,” commented Cross. “Other evidence exists that suggest another cause of his death,” he concluded. The Sheriff didn’t elaborate further.
Contrary to popular belief, Claxton’s remains were not found in a shallow grave. “The remains were all lying on top of the ground,” Cross remarked. The bones were reportedly covered with leaves and vegetation. The remains were located only 40-yards away from Claxton’s last known residence.
Although no formal cause of death was determined, the forensic pathologist noted that Claxton had suffered a broken bone(s) in the face and jaw region. “The injury was consistent with reports of Mr. Claxton being involved in a physical altercation prior to his death.,” Cross stated. The pathologist reportedly commented about the severity of the facture, but, while likely painful, noted it was not life-threatening. The report also indicated that the fracture had already started to heal.
For reasons unknown, Claxton was never reported missing by his family or friends.
On
October 17, 2011, a dog brought a human bone into the yard of home on