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Former Enron Exec's Death Believed Suicide (Contains facts inconsistent with conspiracy theories)
Houston Chronicle ^ | January 26, 2002 | Eric Hanson and Mary Flood

Posted on 01/26/2002 1:18:16 PM PST by Wolfstar

Police examine note in apparent suicide

By ERIC HANSON and MARY FLOOD

Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

SUGAR LAND -- A former Enron executive who resigned last year -- reportedly after complaining about accounting practices that led to the firm's collapse -- was found dead Friday, an apparent suicide.

Police said they expect the autopsy results on John Clifford Baxter, the former Enron Corp. vice chairman, to be released Monday.

SNIP...

...Baxter, 43, was discovered about 2:20 a.m. in the driver's seat of his Mercedes-Benz, parked in the 5800 block of Palm Royale Boulevard.

He had been shot once in the head and a .38-caliber revolver was found inside the locked car, investigators said.

Sugar Land police were examining a suicide note, said [Sugar Land police spokeswoman Pat] Whitty, but she would not disclose its contents or say where it was found.

Sources familiar with Baxter's death said Enron was mentioned in the note.

Baxter's car was being inspected for fingerprints or other evidence this weekend.

SNIP...

His luxury sedan was parked in a cut-through in the median of the tree-lined boulevard, within blocks of the $700,000 home he shared with his wife and two children in Sugar Land's most exclusive neighborhood.

Because the evidence of suicide was considered so strong, Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Richard initially chose not to order an autopsy.

"There just wasn't any evidence of foul play," said Richard, noting that police did not request an autopsy.

However, because of the attention being focused on Baxter's death, he changed his mind just before noon.

"I decided to use an overabundance of caution," Richard said.

SNIP...

He had hired an attorney and knew it was likely he was about to be deposed and questioned by lawyers, federal investigators and maybe even Congress. In addition to questions about his work at Enron, there were questions about his own sale of more than 577,000 shares that garnered him $35.2 million between October 1998 and early 2001.

SNIP...

Also Friday, ABC News reported that Baxter and 48 other people had received subpoenas this month from the Senate Government Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Oversight and Investigation.

Baxter was discovered by a Precinct 4 constable's deputy, who saw the Mercedes during routine patrol, said police Sgt. Truman Body [note: his last name is Body]. He said the deputy drove by again about 15 minutes later, saw the mortally wounded Baxter and called for an ambulance.

Police had to smash the right-rear window to get into the car. The car was towed to a private storage lot near Richmond for examination.

SNIP...

When Baxter resigned in May 2001, Enron's news release said it was to spend additional time with his family. It said he still would be an Enron consultant.

By all accounts, he did not take on significant other work. Instead, he stepped up his interest in yachting.

But when the company faltered several months later, Baxter was named in dozens of federal lawsuits, along with other former and current Enron executives who sold stock and took profits while lower-level employees were left with little in stock and retirement plans.

Dennis Onstott, a Gulf Coast marine insurer, knew Baxter from selling him yachts years ago and from his largess with Onstott's favorite charity, the Sunshine Kids, which helps children with cancer.

"He was the nicest, most conscientious man. It's hard to imagine him (committing suicide)," said Onstott.

But Jerry V. Mutchler, president of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, where Baxter served on the board, saw a different side.

Baxter's activity with the board was at its peak while he was at Enron, Mutchler said. He even was scheduled to join the board's executive committee until he left Enron.

"I consider him larger than life. He was a very generous man who worked very hard and ran very hard," Mutchler said. "That kind of man can be more sensitive than someone who plodded through life."

He said several others active in Junior Achievement had talked with Baxter recently and found "he wasn't very happy these last few weeks."

"He was depressed and disappointed about all that had happened," Mutchler said. "Who wouldn't be?"

SNIP...

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TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: enronlist
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To: lawdude
There is no indication of foul play and everything consistent with a suicide. This said, it contains all elements necessary for many 'tin-foil' Freepers to yell CONSPIRACY! CONSPIRACY!

Precisely. As of now, there is no evidence that it was anything but a suicide. Very sad for his family and friends.
Tinfoil-itis must make it only worse for them.
161 posted on 01/27/2002 11:43:37 AM PST by CharlieDarwin
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To: gwynapnudd
WHERE IS THE BULLET?

I have an idea. Instead of writing in large letters where is the bullet", CALL the PD and ask them. Call local new stations in the area and ask them...

162 posted on 01/27/2002 2:05:25 PM PST by Fury
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Comment #163 Removed by Moderator

To: scottxyz
wow - great work - we need to trust the harris county ME just like xlinton.
164 posted on 01/28/2002 2:53:39 AM PST by XBob
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To: Sinkspur
No comments on post #144? I know you are a busy guy and all, but it sure feels like you just slipped out the back door.
165 posted on 01/28/2002 4:53:01 AM PST by Freeper 007
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To: Freeper 007
Which would lead one to assume that if someone commits suicide AFTER the two years is up, then the death benefit will be paid.

Where does it say that? I read it that insurance benefits won't be paid if one commits suicide, whether sane or insane.

MY OWN LIFE INSURANCE POLICY, from Banner Life, clearly states (on page 3) that no benefits will paid if the insured commits suicide, whether sane or insane. Period.

166 posted on 01/28/2002 6:10:47 AM PST by sinkspur
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To: sinkspur
If death occurs within two years from the effective date of insurance

That is from your post. How exactly do you interpret "If death occurs within two years?"

And if suicide is NEVER covered, then why would anyone ever need to spell out why the first two years are different? I've enjoyed watching you hold the line over the years against the kook brigade, but on this one you are just flat out refusing to admit that you are wrong.
167 posted on 01/28/2002 3:01:19 PM PST by Freeper 007
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To: Freeper 007
I'm wrong. Except for my own insurance policy, which definitely excludes suicide.

Some policies exclude it, some don't. Let's leave it at that.

168 posted on 01/28/2002 3:06:25 PM PST by sinkspur
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To: Alamo-Girl; *Enron_list
Looks like the usual suspects (disruptor flying monkies) are coming out of the woodwork to disprove the obvious working theory that this wasn't a suicide.

It would be interesting to track those so interested in steering this away from x42 and the Democrats. Might make some interesting searches of post histories. :)

169 posted on 01/28/2002 7:55:36 PM PST by anymouse
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To: sinkspur
Consider it left.
170 posted on 01/29/2002 5:24:44 AM PST by Freeper 007
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To: _Jim
"Joyce M. Carter" flunky coroner, cover-up artist for Harris County, whom the investigators are ignoring, who has cost the county to lose a lawsuit in a cover-up. Not the high ethical government employee you want us to believe.

I'm leaving open the option that Baxter was murdered, because I do not trust the rebels who are running the government.

171 posted on 01/29/2002 4:29:25 PM PST by CWRWinger
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To: sinkspur
"Joyce M. Carter", flunky coroner and cover-up artist, whom the investigators are ignoring, who has cost Harris County to lose a lawsuit over her cover-up for sloppy work.

Government employees are not the honest, benevolent people the government worms would have us believe.

I'm leaving open the option that Baxter was murdered.

172 posted on 01/29/2002 4:33:55 PM PST by CWRWinger
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