Death of Howardwick man ruled suicide

The death of a Howardwick man that first fueled speculations of murder was ruled a suicide last week.

Roger Howerton of 2200 Carroll Creek Acres in Howardwick was found dead in his home last Tuesday afternoon, August 15, by Chief Deputy Butch Blackburn.

Howerton’s father had not heard from his son for about a week and contacted the Donley County Sheriff’s Office. Blackburn entered the home on a welfare check, and the man was later officially pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Jimmy Johnson.

An autopsy was performed on August 16 in Lubbock, and a preliminary report gave the cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Blackburn said the 40-year-old man had probably been dead for six or seven days before being found.

Sheriff Jimmy Thompson and Texas Ranger Gary Henderson assisted with the investigation.