Seymour, IN – After 41 years, a significant breakthrough has been made in the Halloween 1982 cold case murder of Clifford Smith. Indiana State Police have announced the arrest of a 61-year-old man from Seymour on a murder charge in connection with the case. Clifford Smith, 24 at the time, was tragically shot to death on October 31, 1982. His body was discovered by animal trappers along the White River, north of Seymour, on December 1. His wife had reported him missing on November 4. Authorities determined that Smith’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Sgt. Kip Main initiated the reinvestigation in September 2015. It was revealed that the suspect was present at a residence with Smith and others on October 30, 1982. According to police, the suspect retrieved a shotgun from the house, loaded it, and left with Smith in a car, after which Smith was never seen alive again. Based on this investigation, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, 61-year-old Ronald J. Anderson. He was taken into custody on Thursday.
Ronald J. Anderson allegedly shot Clifford Smith in the head on October 31, 1982.
(L: Clifford Smith, R: Ronald J. Anderson)
