Robert Strong, a 66-year-old male from Cleveland, TX, tragically died on September 16, 2020, from shotgun wounds to his head. His body was discovered in his bed at his home off CR 2282 in Tarkington by a neighbor who heard a gunshot around 1 a.m. that morning and conducted a welfare check later in the day. The investigation revealed that Robert Strong had allegedly threatened bodily harm to a female family member, which led to his murder.
Two suspects, Craig Russell Bryant, 46, and
Randal Scott Dowden, 53, were arrested and charged with capital murder. Both suspects provided written confessions to their roles in the murder. Bryant lived near the location of the murder, while Dowden was from the New Caney area. The motive for the murder was the alleged threat that Robert Strong made against the daughter of Dowden.
The investigation was a joint effort between Sheriff’s investigators and Texas Rangers, who interviewed witnesses and acquaintances of Strong. The case was further complicated by a family disturbance call made earlier in the week involving Strong and other family members. Bryant and Dowden were placed in the Liberty County Jail while the investigation continued.
In December 2021, Randal Scott Dowden was sentenced to a twenty-year prison term after being found guilty of the murder of Robert Strong. The trial was presided over by Judge Mark Morefield of the 75th Judicial District Court. The prosecution presented the testimony of seven witnesses who recounted the events leading up to the murder, the investigation, and their knowledge of Dowden and the victim.
The case highlighted the importance of community vigilance and the swift response of law enforcement in addressing violent crimes. The tragic death of Robert Strong and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the devastating impact of family disputes and the need for conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent such outcomes.
