In a quiet corner of Waterloo's Elmwood Cemetery, a somber discovery was made on the afternoon of May 9, 2023. A maintenance worker happened upon the body of Moses Batemon, a 31-year-old Black male, resting beneath a tree. The discovery, which occurred around 1:00 p.m., brought a tragic end to the young man's life.
Authorities were called to the scene, and an investigation into the circumstances of his death began.
At the scene, a firearm was recovered, pointing to the cause of his untimely passing. Further examination by the Iowa Medical Examiner's Office would later provide a definitive answer.
The official ruling from the medical examiner concluded that Moses Batemon died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. His death was officially classified as a suicide. In the wake of this determination, there was no indication of foul play, and consequently, no arrests were made, nor were any suspects sought in connection with the incident.
