12/11/11: Clinton Hamilton, 19, Oaktown, IN

Clinton Hamilton, 19, of Bicknell, Ind., disappeared along a rural road in Oaktown after taking his friends for a ride near the Wabash River on Dec. 11, 2011 around 4 a.m.

"They were just out driving Saturday night and for one reason or another the truck drowned out and he was going to stay with his truck and that's the
last time we had word of him," said Indiana Conservation Officer Tony Mann. (WTHITV.com, Dec. 13, 2011).

When he failed to come home, his family called police.

On Dec. 11, 2011, Hamilton’s truck was found in high flood waters near Wolf Hill in a remote part of northern Knox County. An extensive three-month, multi-agency search was then conducted using divers, boats, ATVs, air support and canines.

No trace of Hamilton was found until Sunday, Mar. 11, 2012 when Hamilton's remains were found in a corn field near the location where Hamilton went missing. A concerned citizen found the remains around 1:08 p.m. and called the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

According to The Washington Times-Herald, "a Knox County Crime Scene Detective and Coroner Gordon Belcher processed the scene and determined the remains did indeed belong to Hamilton. Indiana Conservation Officers, Oaktown Fire Department and Knox County EMS also assisted with the recovery."

There were no signs of foul play.

An autopsy, performed on March 11 by by Forensic Pathologist Dr. John Heidinsfelder of Evansville, found that the Knox County teen had died as the result of an accident.

Funeral services were held at the Sandborn Baptist Church. Memorial contributions were made to Riley at IU Health in Hamilton's name.

If you have any information, call the Knox County Sheriff's Office, 812-882-7660.



Sources

WSAU.com. (2012, March 15). Knox County Death Ruled Accidental. WSAU.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.

The Washington Times-Herald. (2012, March 11). Remains of Missing Teen Found in Cornfield.  Retrieved April 19, 2012.

WTHITV.com. (2011, December 13.).Truck found but teen still missing. WTHITV.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.