Merced County Sheriff’s Department is searching for clues while a family is searching for answers.“He was my dad and I love him, it isn't right, it isn't fair,” said Jennifer Danny Dunn, victim’s daughter.
65-year old Tom Higgins was found dead lying on the bridged section of Kibby Rd in Merced Saturday morning. Higgins grew up in Merced where he and his wife of 42 years had a home. But their main residence was in the Bay Area where he was supposed to meet his wife Saturday afternoon. Higgins wrote books, short stories and screenplays based on true historical events, often with young people in key roles. He has won many awards throughout his life.
“Tom was a magnet, people loved him, they were attracted to him, he was an extraordinary storyteller and had an outrage sense of humor,” said Elise Higgins, Victim’s wife.
A man his family says didn't have any enemies but is a victim of a senseless crime that remains a mystery.
"We're searching for more evidence but anything right now would be too preliminary or me guessing and we don't want it hurt the investigation at this point,” said Tom McKenzie, Merced County Sheriff’s.
Investigators say Higgins suffered from multiple gun shot wounds and his wallet was missing, but they don't know why he was in the area that's about six miles away from his home or how he got there. His car was home but his body near a bridge where flowers now lay.
“It seems like the more we learn about it, the more we don't understand it and it doesn't make sense to us,” said Dunn.
If you have any information, you're urged to call the Merced County Sheriff's Department at (209) 385-7472.
