CLEARFIELD COUNTY – The Pennsylvania State Police in Clearfield County have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a body earlier this week in a remote, wooded area of Covington Township, according to GantDaily.com news partner WJAC-TV.
A male’s body was found near Rollingstone Road in Covington Township. Police currently believe the body is that of Ronald Bruce Ford Jr., 40, of San Diego, Calif., said Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr.,
Ford’s family has been contacted by local authorities. Ford was last known to be staying with a friend in the Deer Creek Road area of Morrisdale. Ford was reported missing sometime between 11 p.m. Feb. 22 and 11 a.m. Feb. 23.
However, a Pennsylvania Missing Persons Web site shows Ford’s family reported him missing to police in California on Feb. 16. Authorities said Ford communicated with his family regularly, and they found it odd when he stopped calling them.
“The victim may not be from central Pennsylvania. But we believe the people [who are] responsible for the homicide are from central Pennsylvania and that is important,” said Shaw.
Ford’s body was discovered about 13 miles away from where he was last seen in Morrisdale. “Evidence has been collected. A lot of people are being interviewed . . . hopefully, [we’re] moving closer to an end result,” said Shaw, who wants justice for Ford’s family.
“We believe a homicide has occurred, and now we want to hold somebody responsible for that homicide. It’s all in an effort to give the family closure. They’re entitled to that.”
Shaw said residents should be mindful; however, he also believes this was an isolated crime.
“It’s probably a specific instance of murder. I don’t think that somebody who is a mass murderer is out running the streets. But we do believe somebody is still out there [who is] responsible for this murder. We’re working hard to bring that person to justice,” said Shaw.
The investigation involves several police agencies. Those assisting include the Pennsylvania State Police at Clearfield and Rockview and the Troop C Vice Unit, agents of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics and the Clearfield County Drug Task Force.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is urged to contact the Clearfield-based state police at 814-857-3800.