Father, 77, found dead inside trailer

Officials are investigating after a 77-year-old man was found dead Friday in Clarkridge, according to the Baxter County sheriff’s office.

Deputies responded to a 911 call at 7:56 a.m. after Donald Cruse was found dead at 1732 County Road 168 in Clarkridge, an unincorporated community near the Arkansas-Missouri state line, a news release from the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies found Cruse’s body in a small, travel-type trailer beside a residence. Cruse lived in the trailer, according to the release.

Cruse’s son told deputies that he had checked on his father before going to work about 5 p.m. Thursday and discovered the elderly man’s body after arriving home Friday.

Cruse appeared to have a single gunshot wound in his head, according to the news release, and a small .22-caliber pistol was found at the scene.

Investigators said Cruse had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

His body was being sent to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation is ongoing.