William Pletcher
William Pletcher Jr.’s 2013 Amarillo Murder Remains Unsolved
William Pletcher Jr. was found dead in an East Amarillo drainage culvert on October 16, 2013. Although his death initially appeared accidental, an autopsy revealed additional injuries that caused investigators to classify the case as a homicide.
That morning, Amarillo police responded to a report of a man lying in a culvert in the 2100 block of East Interstate 40, near Ross Street and the Player’s Men’s Club. Pletcher, 68, was already dead when officers arrived.
Because of the unusual location and circumstances, investigators from the Potter-Randall Special Crimes Unit assisted at the scene. Police notified Pletcher’s family and arranged for an autopsy in Lubbock the following morning.[1]
Initial observations suggested Pletcher had suffered an upper-body injury that could have resulted from an accident. Police therefore told local media that his death did not immediately appear to be a homicide. [2]
Preliminary autopsy findings changed the direction of the investigation. The pathologist identified other lethal injuries that had not been visible during the initial examination. Based on those findings, police reclassified Pletcher’s death as a homicide on October 18.
Authorities did not publicly describe the hidden injuries, identify the exact cause of death or explain how Pletcher reached the culvert. No information about a possible weapon, motive, suspect or Pletcher’s activities before his death was released.
No arrest or later resolution could be located in publicly available reporting. Pletcher’s death therefore remains an unsolved homicide.
Anyone with information may contact the Amarillo Police Department Cold Case Unit at 806-378-6468 or email coldcaseunit@amarillo.gov. Anonymous information may be submitted through Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400.
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UPDATE October 18, 2013: Preliminary autopsy results revealed Mr. Pletcher's death was a homicide. Mr. Pletcher had an injury to his upper body that appeared to be caused by accidental means. Mr. Pletcher had other lethal injuries not evident until the autopsy was performed. Based on this information from the pathologist, this case is now classified as a homicide. The Special Crimes Unit continues its investigation and asks for anyone with information about Mr. Pletcher's murder to call 806-378-9468 or Amarillo Crime Stoppers with anonymous information at 806-374-4400
Original Nixle release - October 16, 2013: This morning APD officers were sent to the 2100 block of East Interstate 40 on a man lying in a drainage culvert. The man was found to be deceased. Special Crimes investigators assisted in the investigation due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death. An autopsy is scheduled in Lubbock tomorrow morning. Next of kin were notified of the man's death. He was identified as William Pletcher, Jr., 68.