Man arrested for father’s killing, Iredell County deputies say
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 23-year-old man accused of killing his father.
Investigators said they were asked to perform a welfare check at a home on Emmanuel Road Saturday. The caller said they were supposed to meet someone at the residence but they did not show up.
Deputies said they knocked on the door but there was no answer. But after looking into a window, they saw the body of Michel Renard Clarke lying on the floor. It was apparent that Clarke had been killed, according to deputies.
ALSO READ: 2 men plead guilty to murder for 2019 killing in Statesville
Using evidence that included surveillance video, deputies identified 23-year-old Carlton Michael Clarke as a suspect in the case. He is the victim’s son, their family confirmed to Channel 9′s Dave Faherty. Deputies said they obtained a felony murder arrest warrant for Carlton Clarke and he was also entered as a wanted person by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Further investigation revealed that Carlton Clake had stolen his father’s car after the incident. After receiving a tip that Carolton Clarke was in the Charlotte area, his father’s vehicle was found abandoned in downtown Charlotte on Sunday, Jan. 15.
On Friday, Jan. 20, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office announced that Carlton Clarke was found near the Charlotte Douglas Airport and taken into custody. He was then transported to the Iredell County Detention Center to face a charge of murder.
Police said Carlton Clake is being held without bond.
On Tuesday, Faherty spoke with family members who said Carlton Clarke struggles with his mental health.
Michel Clarke’s brother, Gary Clarke, showed Faherty a pictured of his brother, saying he always had a smile on his face.
“He believed in Christian values that he lived according to his life,” Gary Clarke said. “And he did everything that he could for his son, despite putting his own life in danger. He did everything that he could for him.”
ALSO READ: Police: Mooresville man calls 911 to say he shot wife; charged with murder
Family members said Carlton Clarke used to live at the home, and said his father tried repeatedly to get him help over the years. Gary Clarke still can’t believe his brother is gone and shared a message for Carlton.
“It might do you well to give yourself up and let them help you in whatever way they can,” he said. “We still love you brother, we still love you.”
Sheriff Darren Campbell told Faherty they hoped to learn more about Michel Clarke’s exact cause of death from the autopsy, which was completed on Tuesday.
Authorities have not shared what the motive was for the killing.
(WATCH BELOW: 2 men plead guilty to murder for 2019 killing in Statesville)
