CLARK, Stephen
Source: Covington Friend Thursday, Feb. 1, 1979
The investigation into the murder of Mrs. Juanita Ann Ward was officially closed Monday by the Covington Police, Indiana State
On Jan. 9, Mrs. Ward was found in her bedroom, beaten to death by numerous blows to the head by a Pepsi bottle, a coffee pot and a wooden foot stool. The murder occurred at 1412 Short Court at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Salts. Mrs. Salts was a stepdaughter of Mrs. Ward.
On Jan. 15, a member of Mrs. Ward’s family died from self-inflicted gun shot wounds. This death, In Crawfordsville, was investigated by the same team of investigators assigned to the death of Mrs. Ward.
Stephen Lee Clark, 38, the husband of Mrs. Ward’s step-granddaughter was to have undergone questioning by state police on the day he took his own life, according to police.
Investigation into Mrs. Ward’s murder had placed Clark at the Salts home at 1412 Short Court just shortly before Mrs. Ward was beaten to death, according to city police.
“After hundreds of hours of investigation, we still do not have a specific motive for the murder. But we are satisfied that the two deaths were connected and that there is no need to look further into the murder,” Prosecutor Bunch said.
The investigation of both deaths continued until Monday, at which time it was determined by all law enforcement officials that no further investigation was indicated.
“The investigation into the Ward murder revealed that there was no forced entry of the dwelling; that nothing had been taken from the premises or body of Mrs. Ward, and that she had not been molested. The investigating officers then concluded that the assailant was a person well known by the victim and one who had access to the home,” Prosecutor James Bunch said.
“As part of the investigation, in depth interviews of 35 individuals were conducted and numerous scientific tests were conducted by the Indiana State Police Laboratory,” State Police Detective Gerald VanMeter said.
“We feel the investigation has proven that the murder case of Mrs. Ward should now be marked closed,” Covington Police Chief Max Keller said. Police officials refused to comment further on the case. – thanks to S
Source: Covington Friend Thursday, Jan. 18, 1979
Stephan Lee Clark, 38, a resident of Crawfordsville the past two years and previously a resident of Covington, passed away Monday, January 15, 1979 at Culver Hospital, Crawfordsville.
He was born March 30, 1940 at Danville, Ill., the son of Burton H. and Violet L. Lawson Clark.
He was married December 31, 1961 to Brenda Salts, who survives.
Other survivors include three daughters, Kimberly, Kristina and Stephanie; two sons, Thomas Wayne and Bradley Arthur, all at home; his parents of Covington; one brother, Terry Clark of Covington, and a step grandmother, Mrs. Violet Lawson of Terre Haute.
He was employed in sales at Saladmaster in Crawfordsville.
Private services were held with Rev. Bob Hamblen, Rev. Gregg Curtis and Rev. Dan Aldridge officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Covington. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the DeVerter Funeral Home, Covington. – thanks to S
Source: Covington Friend Thursday, Jan. 18, 1979
A 65-year-old Covington woman found dead on the floor of her bedroom Wednesday, Jan. 10, was beaten to death with a blunt instrument by an attacker, police said.
Police also said they do not have a motive for the murder of the woman, Juanita Ann Ward, 1412 Short Court, who was killed either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
It is believed she may have been slain Tuesday night when her daughter and other family members who also lived there were away from home for several hours.
State Police Detective Herb Clear said the daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Salts, and their two sons, had left Mrs. Ward alone in the home Tuesday night.
He said a grandson noticed a television light through a closed door was on in Mrs. Ward’s bedroom of the bi-level home Tuesday night but did not check on her. The grandson found Mrs. Ward dead in her room when he went to awaken her about 10 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Mrs. Ward was fully clothed and there was no evidence that she had been molested except for having been struck on her head.
Detective Clear said there was no evidence of forced entry of the house but that an intruder could have entered through an unlocked garage door.
The detective also said police have suspects in mind in the murder, but he declined to elaborate.
Fountain County Coroner Robert DeVerter took the body of the woman to Bloomington to conduct an autopsy.
Police would not say whether they were investigating any possible connection between the death of the Covington woman and the apparent suicide Monday of a Crawfordsville man.
According to Russell Powers, the Montgomery County coroner, Stephan Clark, 38, a former Covington resident, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 2:12 p.m. Monday at Culver Hospital, Crawfordsville.
Clark, who was married to Mrs. Ward’s step granddaughter, shot himself in the head with a .357 pistol sometime between 8:30 and 9 a.m. at his home in Crawfordsville, according to Powers.
Police had no further information to release concerning any possible connection between the two cases and according to state police Lafayette post commander, Sgt. Dale M. Rabanus, “anything else is speculation.” – thanks to S