Missing Elmendorf Airman found dead; fellow Airman arrested

  • Published
  • By Chris McCann
  • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) --  Anchorage police and Air Force officials announced May 10 that the body found earlier this week in Eagle River, north of Anchorage, Alaska, is that of missing Senior Airman Clinton Reeves.

A fellow Airman was arrested and charged with six felony counts of tampering with evidence in the case.

"We have confirmed that the body found in Eagle River is that of (Senior Airman) Clinton Reeves," said Anchorage Police Department Lt. Dave Parker during the press conference. "The manner of death has been ruled a homicide."

Col. Robert Evans, the 673d Air Base Wing commander, expressed sympathy for the family and community.

"We extend our deepest condolences to friends and family of one of our own," Evans said. "(Reeves) was a valuable member of the team. (The military) is not about airplanes or weaponry -- it's about the people."

The base has suffered a tragic week, Evans said, noting the death of one Soldier and wounding of three others from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-based 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division in Afghanistan earlier in the week.

Evans thanked the APD for their exceptional assistance in the case as well as the Anchorage community, including Eagle River.

"The outpouring of support has been overwhelming," he said.

"(Reeves) was a beautiful human being," said Lt. Col. Patricia Csank, the commander of the 673rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and Reeves' commander. "He aspired to a long and successful career in the Air Force, and he was well on his way."

Csank noted that as an aircraft fueler, Reeves was responsible for driving trucks carrying 6,000 gallons of aircraft fuel and had a lot of responsibility. Csank also said that when President Barack Obama stopped at JB Elmendorf to refuel recently, Reeves was one of a handful of Airmen selected to service Air Force One.

On April 19, Reeves, a Raytown, Mo., native, left work at the 673rd LRS. He didn't return to work on April 23 when his absence was officially noticed.

Reeves' parents both came to Anchorage to help search for their son. In the following days, the city was papered with flyers posted by volunteers throughout the Anchorage area.

During the 20-day search for Reeves, his rented 2012 Dodge Avenger was found in an alley in the Mountain View area of Anchorage, with groceries, the keys and his Air Force uniforms inside. Reeves had rented the vehicle after his car was totaled in an accident, and he was waiting on the insurance payment to buy a new car.

On May 8, women walking in the community of Eagle River, which borders JB Elmendorf, noticed a body in a shallow ravine. A neighbor called 911 and police began their investigation.

Police arrested Airman 1st Class James Thomas on May 8 on six counts of tampering with evidence in Reeves' disappearance.

According to charging documents released by the Anchorage District Attorney's office May 9 after Thomas' hearing, Reeves was in the area of Thomas' residence the night of April 19. Initially, Thomas told investigators that he had not seen Reeves. Detectives executed a warrant on Thomas' residence, and found evidence of a violent encounter.

Also according to the charging documents, Thomas admitted to destroying evidence by cleaning the apartment and discarding or burning other materials. Then, he said, he didn't want Reeves' rented car in the apartment parking lot, so he moved it toward McCarrey Street and left it there.

Despite the missing-persons flyers and both military and civilian law enforcement urging anyone with information to contact them, Thomas never called the police or informed law enforcement about his involvement in cleaning up the residence until May 7. He denied being involved in the disappearance.

Anyone with information about Reeves' death should call the Anchorage Police Department at 907-786-8900.