JACKSON COUNTY, Indiana — Indiana State Police announced an arrest Tuesday in a 41-year cold case in rural Jackson County.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested 61-year-old Ronald Anderson, of Seymour, on Oct. 31 for his alleged role in the murder of 24-year-old Clifford Smith — exactly 41 years ago on Oct. 31, 1982.
According to ISP, two animal trappers found Smith's body Dec. 1, 1982, in an area along the White River near County Roads 700 East and 800 North, in Rockford, Indiana, which is just north of Seymour.
ISP said Smith's wife reported him missing Nov. 4, 1982.
Investigators determined Smith died from a gunshot wound to his head.
ISP detectives investigated Smith's death in 1982 and the years following, but no arrests were made.
Sgt. Kip Main began investigating the case in September 2015, which ISP said led to the discovery that Anderson was at a home on East 13th Street with Smith and other people Oct. 30, 1982.
According to investigators, Anderson got a shotgun from the house, loaded it and left the home in a car with Smith. ISP said Smith was not seen alive after Smith and Anderson left the home that night.
ISP said Anderson returned the shotgun back to the home on 13th Street and also returned to the crime scene soon after the murder to hide potential evidence.
As a result of the investigation, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant for Anderson.
Detectives arrested Anderson at his home on the east side of Seymour without incident and took him to the Jackson County Jail.
An initial hearing has not been set, according to online court records.