By Brian Livingston / blivingston@themeridianstar.com
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp was pretty sure his department was dealing with a homicide in the death of Joe Michael Ruffin and Thursday morning medical examiners in Jackson confirmed his belief.
"We have five law enforcement agencies in on this case so we are trying to do everything we can to find out who did this," Kemp said late Thursday
According to Clarke County Coroner Gregg Fairchild, the preliminary report from Jackson listed the 35-year old man’s death as a homicide. Fairchild said the report showed Ruffin died as the result of a single shotgun blast to the back.
"The report talks of pulling numerous buckshot pellets from his back," Fairchild said. "But it doesn't say anything about the caliber of shotgun."
Kemp said there is still no suspect or person of interest in the case.
Ruffin's body was found in the back seat of his 2003 Cadillac DeVille at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Clarke County Road 242 near Vossburg, Kemp said. He said physical evidence found at the scene and inside the car “seemed to indicate” to him and investigators foul play may have been involved in the man's death.
Fairchild said it was tough to try and nail down a time of death but he estimated Ruffin had been dead at least three days.
"I would put the death within a 24-hour hour period Friday," said Fairchild.
Kemp said Ruffin's wife reported him missing Aug. 13 to Wayne County officials.
Investigators are still in the preliminary stages of getting the early evidence and information gathered so they can begin to map out the circumstances surrounding the incident, he said.
Kemp said multiple agencies, including the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and police department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, are all teaming up on the case.
