HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The tragic incident of a double murder-suicide is currently under investigation by the Huntington Police Department, led by Chief Phil Watkins. The case revolves around the suspect, 52-year-old Clyde Crawford, who was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the Ohio River at McClelland Park. Crawford is alleged to have fatally shot his wife, Sharon Crawford, aged 51, and her daughter, Alexis Beard, aged 26, at their residence on North Staunton Road. The attack also left a 20-month-old baby girl injured.
Watkins noted the evident domestic nature of the violent episode involving husband and wife, yet the police have not disclosed a specific motive for the tragic events that unfolded. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities meticulously documenting and analyzing all related information and evidence gathered from the crime scene.
In collaboration with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department, Huntington Police deployed a K-9 Team to track a scent from the initial crime location. Utilizing a bloodhound named “Bailey,” officers successfully traced the trail to McClelland Park, where Clyde Crawford’s body was discovered by the riverbank. Additional support in the investigation was provided by the Kanawha and Putnam County’s Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team, including drone assistance from the St. Albans Police Department to scour the area near the crime scene.
The extensive investigative efforts did not stop there, with the involvement of various law enforcement agencies such as the West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, A.T.F., and the West Virginia Division of Corrections Probation and Parole Service. The collaborative approach underscores the gravity of the case and the commitment to seeking justice for the victims of this tragic incident in Huntington.