In early April of 2022, 54-year-old Phillip Clifton was reported missing from Roland, Oklahoma. He was last seen by his girlfriend on April 4, 2022, leaving in his Dodge pickup truck. A few days later, on April 7th, his truck was discovered engulfed in flames in Oklahoma City. The search for Clifton came to a grim conclusion on April 22, 2022, when a homeowner discovered his body near the Washita River in Garvin County.
The remains were wrapped in plastic, a blanket, and fencing, and an initial examination revealed he had sustained gunshot wounds.
The investigation into Phillip Clifton's death quickly led authorities to two men from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area: Homer 'Shane' Trout and Randall McClendon. Investigators learned that Clifton had been acquainted with Trout and had been staying with him at his residence in Wheatland. It is at this location that authorities believe Trout fatally shot Clifton on the same day he was last seen alive.
Following the alleged murder, Trout is said to have enlisted the help of Randall McClendon to dispose of Clifton's body. McClendon then allegedly transported the body to Lindsay and submerged it in the Washita River. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation arrested both Trout and McClendon in connection with the crime. Trout faced a series of charges, including second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, desecration of a human corpse, and conspiracy. McClendon was charged with desecration of a human corpse, accessory to a felony, and conspiracy.
As the investigation continued, a third individual, Richard Spencer, was also implicated and charged with accessory to murder. Spencer allegedly assisted in moving Clifton's body, but claimed he was initially unaware of the body's presence. Upon discovering the truth, he reportedly refused to be further involved and urged Trout to contact the police. Trout's purported motive for the shooting was that Clifton had attempted to rob him. Authorities have stated that they believe there may be other individuals who were involved in the burning of Clifton's truck and the subsequent cover-up of his murder, and the investigation remains ongoing.
