A comedy club owner with terminal cancer allegedly traveled thousands of miles in an attempt to kill his ex-wife, leading to a deadly series of events in Alaska.
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Matthew Becker, 61, who owned Chuckleheads comedy club in Bisbee, Arizona, made the journey to Anchorage, where his ex-wife lived, nearly 4,000 miles away.
On the morning of March 14, Becker allegedly went to her hair salon and attempted to break in.
Terminal Cancer Suspect Travels Across Country Before Deadly Attack
According to reports, the woman later discovered damage to the front of her business before Becker suddenly emerged from a nearby vehicle.
Court records state that he began firing shots at her. This prompted her to flee and hide between buildings before calling 911.
Police responded to the scene, but the situation quickly escalated. Concerns then shifted to the safety of her elderly father, with whom she lived.
According to Anchorage Police Department officer Sean Case, Becker went directly to the home following the initial encounter.
He then fired shots through a window, striking and killing 87-year-old Romaine Clark, who was later found by friends.
"[Officers] were hailed by friends who were waiting to meet up with the victim and they went inside the residence because he hadn't come out yet," Case said, via KTUU. "And they discovered the body, and then they notified us."
Suspect Later Found Dead as Investigation Continues
Authorities say there were roughly 45 minutes between the initial confrontation and the fatal shooting.
KTUU reported that Becker was later found dead in the woods in Eagle River at approximately 10:24 a.m. the following day.
Police said the 61-year-old was discovered "with a gunshot wound to the upper body."
In the aftermath, Chuckleheads Comedy Club has been listed as permanently closed on Facebook, where a
statement addressed the tragedy."Matt Becker was a complicated man, to say the least," the statement reads. "His last actions ruined every positive memory I had of him."
"To make this tragedy about anything else than the murder of an innocent 87-year-old man is wrong and shameful. Matt ruined everything that the team at Chuckleheads ever tried to build," the statement continued.
"This story can't be summed up in a tweet or Facebook post. A father's life can't fit into a news article. It's tragic that a person can enter someone's life and monumentally alter its trajectory, scarring and traumatizing it forever."
The statement concluded with a tribute to the victim: "Rest in Peace Romaine Clark".
