JAMES CITY COUNTY — The James City County Police Department is investigating the death of a 79-year-old county resident Saturday in the 3800 block of Cromwell Lane.
Officials said on the morning of Dec. 14 at approximately 7:40 a.m., James City County Police and Fire personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive male, later identified as 79-year-old Cornelus “Neal” Clarke, in the front yard of a residence. Clarke was discovered with injuries to the head and James City County medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Clarke was the owner of the former Capriccio Ristorante in New Town.
The department’s Criminal Investigations Unit has assumed responsibility for the investigation. The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk, where an autopsy was conducted on Monday, Dec. 16 to determine the cause and manner of death. The results of the autopsy are pending.
Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
The James City County Police Department is asking anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Logan English at 757-592-6518 or via email at logan.english@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or online at p3tips.com. Crime Line callers and P3 Tips users can remain anonymous, are not required to appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500 for information leading to an arrest.
