26°Bellevue man, 79, arrested after wife beaten to death
Aug 16
2010
A 79-year-old man is in jail on murder charges after admitting he brutally beat his wife to death.
Bellevue police received a 911 call just before 9 a.m. Monday from Wilma J. Townsend, who was scheduled to pick the man up at his Walnut Street home for a hospital appointment.
“It’s Clifford Beach,” Townsend said as she called 911 from Beach’s driveway. “You’ve had problems with him before.”
Officers and emergency crews made a gruesome discovery when they entered the white, two-bedroom home Clifford shared with his 63-year-old wife, Linda.
They found Linda lying in a recliner with severe trauma to her head, her arms and legs slashed multiple times with a knife, Huron County coroner Jeffrey Harwood said.
It appeared a blunt object caused Linda’s head injuries, Harwood said, though he wouldn’t say what type of object may have been used.
Authorities also noticed Linda had cuts on her palms, possibly from trying to grab the knife from her assailant.
Clifford, meanwhile, was also bleeding from his arms when police arrived, but his wounds appeared to be self-inflicted, Harwood said.
“There was probably some type of suicidal ideation,” Harwood said.
When Bellevue police Capt. Matt Johnson read Clifford his rights, he again admitted he’d beaten his wife to death, according to police reports.
Johnson would not say if Clifford provided any explanation for his actions, citing the ongoing investigation.
Police arrested Clifford at the scene but took him directly to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated and then immediately taken to a bond hearing.
Court officials set his bond at $1 million and scheduled a preliminary hearing for 10 a.m. Aug. 31 in Bellevue Municipal Court.
He’ll likely be indicted by a Huron County grand jury later this week, officials said.
Linda’s body was taken to the Lucas County coroner in Toledo for an autopsy, with preliminary results expected today.
By Monday afternoon, the house and garage were roped off with crime scene tape, the windows plastered with police notices.
Normal neighborhood
Neighbors, meanwhile, tried to make sense of Monday morning’s events on Walnut Street.
Most said they knew Cliff, as everyone called him.
They often saw him riding along the sidewalk in his motorized wheelchair, a tiny brown-and-white dog following beside him. He’d stop and chat with them from time to time, making friendly conversations and venting about gas prices or city politics.
But those same neighbors knew much less about Cliff’s wife, who they described as a quiet woman who kept to herself.
Some said they didn’t even know Cliff was married until they saw the police cars head down their peaceful street.
The couple had been married nearly 30 years and had no children.
Linda graduated from Bellevue High School in 1965 and bought their house, 166 Walnut St., about four years before they married. Her maiden name was Burford, according to county auditor’s records.
Linda has no known surviving relatives, police said.
Nancy Nay, who has lived across the street from Cliff and Linda for 16 years, said the couple had their share of health problems.
Cliff suffered a brain injury years ago and was on medication for numerous ailments. Linda broke her ankle and used a wheelchair, and seemed to have a hard time getting around, Nay said.
Linda rarely left the house and stopped driving years ago. The couple always kept their blinds closed, Nay said, though Linda’s black-and-white cat sometimes peeked from behind the blinds.
Cliff was the more outgoing of the two.
As a former VFW post commander and Eagles member, Cliff frequented the same social circles as Nay’s husband, Robert, who died Sunday after a long illness.
“You never know what goes on behind closed doors,” Nay said as she sat on the porch with her daughter and several friends. “But he was always nice outside.”
Nay said it was hard to imagine Cliff killing his wife because he was such a thin, frail man — smaller than Linda, actually.
“I didn’t think he had the strength to do that,” Nay said. She paused and looked at the house with a sigh. “It’s just terrible. Just a sad situation.”
Walnut Street resident Laurie Kahle said Cliff often stopped by while riding along in his wheelchair.
“He was never mean to anyone out here,” Kahle said. “He was curious about what was going on in the neighborhood.”
Shirley Miller remembered how Cliff would sometimes let the neighborhood children go for rides on the wheelchair.
“They would fly up and down here,” Miller said. “He was a nice guy, friendly. I never heard anything bad come out of his mouth. And he was always nice to my grandkids.”
Signs of trouble
Not everyone spoke of Cliff in a positive light.
He was a vocal guest at Bellevue Council meetings and was escorted out of one meeting for his behavior, neighbors said.
Several men and women who gathered at the local VFW recalled how Linda and Cliff frequented the club years ago. No one had seen either of them in years.
Cliff formerly served as a commander of the post, and Linda was a homemaker who helped out in the VFW kitchen.
A few members said Cliff had a short fuse, and he hadn’t been quite the same since he’d suffered a brain injury at least 20 years ago.
Before that, he’d served in the military and worked for a rail welding company.
One woman who has belonged to the VFW since the 1970s said Cliff often snapped at Linda in front of others at the hall.
“This don’t surprise me, the way he was with her,” said the woman, who wouldn’t give her name. “He was just mean to her; you could tell by the way he treated her in here. He’d scream at her something terrible.”
See the Bellevue Police Department's incident report by clicking on the PDF below:
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06:17 AM
ragtop66 says
Oh well.
05:03 AM
yourallpetty says
this is like reading a fight between 5th grader's. A woman was brutaly murdered and all you people can do is complian about some one who has nothng to do with this. reading the comments on any article on this site its the same 5 idiots fight politics that has nothing to do with any thing relitive to what is being reported. all you see is dem's are bad repub's are worse its not one ruining everthing the who system is flawed as long as there is party lines that need to be crossed as for the hateful 5 grow up
08:07 AM
ragtop66 says
Re: oldskool...what I stated was in fact the truth as it happened, and the bank manager did in fact make a call to a higher up after my friend explained to them what had taken place.
Now, on the other hand, just who in the H3** died and appointed you investigative reporter? Whether or not you or anyone else believes this actually happened doesn't matter one wit. Only a few select people know where and who..and it's going to stay that way for obvious reasons.
You seem to be very full of yourself..give you info so YOU can make sure it's put out there and THAT makes it fact.
11:45 AM
Captain Obvious says
I find it comical that all of these comments are aimed at a dispatcher who wasn't even on duty at the time of the call. However, I do agree with the comments that are being posted against this particular dispatcher. My wife and I moved out of town a few years back, but still have connections to the area. I know, for a fact, that this dispatcher posted a Facebook status a month or so ago which stated 'The teenage s**ts in Bellevue need to be hit by trains' or something in regards to young women being hit by trains. This status was posted while said dispatcher was on duty! Also, said dispatcher also has a sister whom works at a doctors office - this sister has an uncanny amount of knowledge about the ongoings of the community in regards to the PD - this information is shared by her to anyone who will listen. This dispatcher is definitely not the type of person I would want working for my PD.
11:28 AM
starryeyes83 says
So when shall we start slingling mud at the judge and the mayor and their cronies? There again, heaven only knows what goes on behind the closed door deals. You still won't convince me the dispatcher is perfect, though. Ironic, though that Mrs. Beach and another resident of Walnut Street ( TB) ended up murdered within about what 12 years of each other? Remember he was found in Toledo . That's a bit much for a small "tucky" town.09:45 AM
oldskool says
Starryeyes, I don't think I am "spinning" as you put it! I don't have time to spin, I am tooooooo busy! There are 4 banks in this town and a lot of managers! Would be more than happy to ask them, but like the usual posts on here, we are only half informed. I know the majority of them as well as the employees, for I bank at 2 of them here in town! Oh there is always a thing or two to learn in life, but throwing a dispatcher under the bus, in the blogs of an article that has NOTHING to do with any dispatcher, I think it is pretty low even for an X-Belltuckian!!!!!! There are sooooooooo many other officials/employees in this town that are worthy of having loads of mud thrown at them on here, in a proper article (not this one) and you pick a "dispatcher", please! Do you really think she is the problem here? If you would give further details of this "bank manager" and I find out further, I will be more than happy to state my findings! If someone has done wrong, they are wrong! But with limited info given, I WILL NOT throw the first stone! I still say there is more to this than what is being said!!!!
08:31 AM
starryeyes83 says
Woodchuck, do you have a problem with reading comprehension? What part of " I moved away a while ago" ...don't you get? Cutsey name calling doesn't bother me a bit.
Going to college and getting a degree doesn't automatically give you good people skills, does it? There's been more than one complaint about this dispatcher. It's nice to see you and oldskool spinning. Funny to read about how much you don't know.
Oldskool, ask one of the bank managers in town if that call was "turned around " ..as YOU claim. You just may find out a thing or two.
06:34 PM
bobaluey says
Only in Bellevue, hmm? You're assuming alot. I'd wager ragtops version is true. I would love to hear some tapes myself. I bet the captain would ,too.05:51 PM
oldskool says
Yes I have read the previous statements! And if ragtop is from Bellevue, I am sure the entire story is turned around. For most people in Bellevue it goes like this: " Hey did you hear that Sally broke her toe on her steps going into her house yesterday?" By the time this story gets 2 blocks away from Sally's house it will go like this: "Hey did you here Sally fell on the city curb because it was all broken up and she had to have her leg removed!" I would rather find out the truth to this dispatchers phone conversation before throwing her under the bus! I am in NO WAY saying that ragtop has misinformed us on here, I am just saying what ragtop was told probably wasn't what EXACTLY happened!!!! This is a down fall of Bellevue, everyone has to talk about everyone elses jobs, divorces, who's doing what, etc., and it gets ALL twisted around! I just feel if someone wants to throw mud, back it up with an affidavit filed at the police department regarding the situation, for I am sure if it was broken into an affidavit would exist! Then I guess if you have to bring it up, you can support it, instead of: he said, she said crap!
11:12 AM
bobaluey says
Why would they get irritated if someone calls in for a suspected break-in? After business hours, no less. Haven't some of you read the other comments? Does it make this story about Mrs. Beach any less tragic, NO. But it certainly sheds some light on the police department.08:17 AM
Woody Hayes says
Blurryeyes:
If you would move to Flat Rock, you could run for village idiot. Next time you have to call for a cop, I hope they say "too bad".
04:24 PM
usedto says
starryeyes, personally I would like to know what you do and what gives you a right to judge this young woman. Who by the way , went to college, obtained a degree, and decided to stay in her hometown to try and make things better for the citizens of Bellevue. This is not about her, it is about domestic violence and murder. Certianly , you would get irritated if people called to ask if school was closed because it snowed, if there was a tornado warning or if the local store was closing early. And yes, all of these things and more have happnened to her. People like you that cast stones and judgement beg the question- what are YOU doing in your life to make the world a better place. She entered the department because she wanted to HELP people. I used to live in Bellevue and every time I visit , I cringe , as it has become a ghost town full of PROBLEMS. Thank god there is the BPD trying to HELP people, even when they almost lost thier budget. They were still devoted to the citizens of the town. And once again , I ask you, What are you doing to make this town any better?
02:42 PM
starryeyes83 says
Woody, so I struck a nerve? Too bad. It's well known fact. Like one of the cops told me a few years ago. Some of them are only there for a paycheck. Some really do try, and Foxy doesn't help a bit slapping them on the wrist and handing out CP tickets. Moved away a while ago. but still have family in that town. So what's your point?
When you place a call and you know the business is closed but see suspicious activity, and the dispatcher says it's "not in their contract.... and how do you know it's suspicious," ... well duh??
What part of some of the cops complain about her, don't you get?
06:27 AM
silvereagle_1 says
re; calledout****ya might wanna read what someone else wrote on here****username "ragtop". ya might have to search for it a little.
06:22 AM
silvereagle_1 says
re; areyoukidding****and you are on here because..........................
10:09 PM
AREYOUKIDDING says
Okay ... so not sure why people are talking about the police dept... they do a great job. Someone was killed . Are you people sick or what? Why do you bother leaving comments about dispatchers and bad mouthing them through the sandusky register. Be an adult and go to there face.. but that is the problem with you people. You sit on the internet all night and bash people... how bout you go and get a job ,get off unemployment and quit taking our tax dollars... thank you ...god bless!! THATS MY OPINION!!! :)
08:58 PM
oldskool says
Thanks nbtk! I hope KW reads our stuff!! But I don't know if I would call people here spoiled?? Ignorant might be better!?!?!? LOL Either way you put it.........the real story here is that this tragedy happened. I wonder why his doctor didn't move him into a secure facility or family members didn't step in? I am in NO WAY trying to lay blame on anyone else - just incase any readers in here would take it that way, but just seems like someone out there could have done something to attempt to stop it! Just feel sorry for the people that are involved!!
08:40 PM
ntbk4024 says
Very well said Oldskool! Especially the part about — Hang in there KW! Don't read anything in to this stuff, consider what type of people are writing this stuff!!!!!! Bellevue PD and dispatchers have always been there for me when I needed them, under staffed or not! — You have to take these people with a grain of salt because you know they're going to call tonight about some "dark people" walking down the street and become upset when your officers are tied up with something that actually involves crime. People in this town are so spoiled!
07:21 PM
oldskool says
I think a lot of people on this blog need to get a life and stop and think of other people that read this stuff!! First off, I don't think this article has anything to do with Bellevue PD dispatchers?!?!? It is about an extremely unfortunate event that took place here in Bellevue! As far as the female dispatcher you are referring to: She has one of those jobs that most of us could not handle even on a good day! She did take this job knowing what it would be like, and she IS the type of person that can handle it! For I know her personally! Maybe those that seem to feel she has attitude, maybe you shouldn't call the PD with stupid stuff?!?!? Oh, what a thought that is!!!! Maybe you shouldn't call them when the neighbors dog poops in your yard, etc. Maybe you should call them when your life, family or childs life is being threatened, see a DUI, robbery, accident, etc. In all honesty, how can you judge someone career wise or throw personal mud when you haven't walked an inch in their shoes? Grow up! Bellevue has A LOT of issues, I will admit, but slinging mud at a dispatcher.......wow! Hang in there KW! Don't read anything in to this stuff, consider what type of people are writing this stuff!!!!!! Bellevue PD and dispatchers have always been there for me when I needed them, under staffed or not!
06:46 PM
Woody Hayes says
Don't forget to thank the doughnut eating cops, Blurryeyes, after they get off of a 16 hr shift, not because they want to work it, they have to work it. If you don't like the town, move to Flat Rock.
PS
My son is a BPD officer, so I take alot of exception to what you have to say.
05:29 PM
starryeyes83 says
Wow, guess that means don't call the BPD for anything. Nothing is in their contract. They'll have more time to sit and play cards and eat donuts. After all, look at ALL the vandalism happening right under their noses. Gutters and downspouts stolen off of commercial buildings right in the center of town., nearly every night. Funny thing is, that's their job. That's what they are paid and trained to do . They know what all that job entails before they take it.
Heck, even the officers complain about her attitude.
Oh well, Bellevue's a dying town, once those RR yards move out, It's done.
02:48 PM
called out says
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Actually the other dispatchers don't have to deal with what she does. She works on afternoon shift which is the busiest and craziest shift. Morning shift deals with the business people, the court, and prisoner transports. Afternoon shift deals with the barking dogs, lost dogs, stolen bikes, unruly children, domestics, fraud, telephone harassment, dui's, alarms, suspicious people, custody disputes (which officers aren't suppose to handle), unlocks, warrants and the trash of the trash and general stupid questions like why are the tornado sirens going off, what level is the snow emergency, my husband called me stupid can I do anything there are Mexicans walking down the streets please arrest them? Midnights they handle maybe a few calls a night if that. You ask me why she doesn't change shifts? Because she can't because she is low man and is stuck on the "worst" and "busiest" shift. You call and ask how low is everyone that works on the afternoon shift and they will tell you I'm low dispatcher, I’m low officer, and I’m low sgt. There’s nothing she can do and you ask how I know this. I use to be in her position at that pd and thankfully found another job. I give her credit she has lasted this long. Afternoons is not an easy shift that is why no other dispatcher wants it nor has to deal with trash of this town.
12:03 PM
starryeyes83 says
Don't the other dispatchers have to put up with the same? The rest of them don't seem to have the attitude that one does.
Wonder why?
11:56 AM
soccermom10 says
@ SilverEagle - yes, because jobs are so plentiful these days. Maybe people have to deal with what they have until they can get something better. Because I'm sure it's a great idea in this economy to quit without something else to rely on.
08:30 AM
silvereagle_1 says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained profanity. Discussion Guidelines07:57 AM
soccermom10 says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained profanity. Discussion Guidelines06:34 AM
ragtop66 says
Re: ntkb4024..If she is so "irritated" having to deal with "any" type of call, then she surely is not the right person for this kind of public-oriented job and should have realized going into it what it was likely to be.
A friend called about a year ago to report someone on property after a business was closed, this same dispatcher asked if he was the owner, he said no, he didn't know who the owner was, she said well the owner has to call us before I send anyone out. The business ended up getting broken into, on more than one occasion. My friend said it would be a cold day in he!! before he ever called the cops again to report anything as long as she was there.
She apparently is letting the job status go to her head and thinks she knows the law better than anyone else. The last I knew any citizen SHOULD report anything that doesn't seem right regardless.
05:40 PM
myownopinion says
Ok, well first of all. It is "our" opinion to complain about a PD dispatch who obviously does not have ppl skills. She chose that job, it's like any other job that has to deal with public, you need to leave your problems at home. If you have to be rude, nasty and just plain mean to ppl quit your job, go to work some where that you don't have to deal with the public. There is no need for all that, I don't care how many stupid phone calls you get in a day. You still have to have some sort of ppl skills. Other wise you will give yourself and the company you work for a bad name. And so forth.
Gurley turned himself in, and what about when he went to the PD before he killed his wife, told them he was going to do it, and yet they let him leave, blew it off, and I do think that she and her sister were killed. With this one, he was there, he confessed, there was no murder to solve. The work was already done, they just have to prosecute now. And with the other old man, he confessed as well. so........
There have been several unsolved murders in Bellevue, and still nothing. There are alot of problems there, and as long as no one has to get involved nothing will be done. There are no stiff penalties for breaking the law in Bellevue. Almost everything is a slap on the wrist, a small court cost witha majority of it suspended and a good portion of what ever jailtime they get is suspended to. and they are free to do it again.
12:32 PM
starryeyes83 says
First of all, the other two dispatchers don't seem to have a problem like ms. watters (?) does. That's what they get paid to do. Right? The man and the other female dispatcher aren't that nasty on the phone. No matter what the "stupid" call is.
Second of all:
Remember the woman out on Route 20, who was beaten to death, in the 80's ?
The woman in the old Allen hotel?
The lady from in town who was found dead out around Flat Rock? There's also couple more that have NEVER been solved.
I could care less about county lines. Bellevue runs through FOUR of them.
Doesn't matter how far back, they are still unsolved. Like I said a high ratio for a small town.
10:42 AM
ntbk4024 says
Are you guys really groaning and moaning about the PD's dispatcher? Any dispatcher I've ever dealt with is irritated because of the trash that they deal with on a daily basis. I've personally dealt with this woman that you're talking about and she could not have been more helpful than what she was. More than I can say for the counties and some neighboring PD's. How would you feel if you took calls for eight hours a day about the filth in your town? The same men beating up the same women? Woman smeared poop all over the bathroom because she was upset? My daughter won't get off the computer, can you come arrest her? What time does the parade start tonight? There's snow on the ground... do I have to go to work today? All I know if is if I had to deal with what they do I would be a lot worse than I'm sure she ever has been to you. Another thing, Bellevue's track record isn't good on solving murders? When was the last murder? The Gurly murder in the 90's? Which was solved. Not one of those men or women on the current force were there when any unsolved murder happened so I have no idea where you're getting that from! The Rios murder was in Green Springs and was Seneca County's responibility, and the Weaver murder/suicide was in Sandusky County's jurisdiction. And again, was solved. I'm pretty sure you people will just dig and dig and dig for anything to complain about, plain and simple.
09:50 AM
ragtop66 says
It is probably a good thing the guy confessed, otherwise it would have been just another unsolved murder in Bellevue. Their track record isn't so good.
I agree with starry and myownopinion. The female dispatcher on afternoons has a real attitude problem and is too full of her self worth. She needs to be replaced by someone who has "people skills", cause she sure doesn't.
06:58 AM
myownopinion says
This is sad,
"STARRYEYES83" your absolutely right about the bellevue pd dispatch, but I thought it was only me who thought she has an attitude and doesn't know how to do her job.
But has anyone else noticed the ligature marks on his neck? They are very clear in the head shot photo of him, maybe it wasn't murder! Just thought I would point that out to everyone.
06:33 PM
starryeyes83 says
This is so sad.
Another murder in Bellevue. Wow, for a tiny town Bellevue ( area) sure has a large ratio of murders and murder/suicides.
On another note, it's a good thing it was the morning male dispatcher who took the call. If it would have been in the afternoon, the one woman dispatcher (wat) would have copped an attitude and asked how the caller knew the lady was deceased or responded that the cops didn't handle those kinds of calls.
03:42 PM
huronguy says
This reminds me was there any update to the Man that was murdered near Vermillion, Alot of folks were saying his wife did it or had something to do with it and people allegedly broke into his house after the guy was murdered, it's ust strange I never heard anything further about that tragedy. If you have any updates let me know. Anyways on to the story at hand... It's so sad that this woman had to suffer like that. Sounds like this fella had some mental health issues..
02:00 PM
hancrack me up says
What became of the pets after this happened?
10:46 PM
iamrevolutionary says
Oh...And I notice that he took the time to SHAVE before his photo....What a SICK SOB!! Heartless!!
10:36 PM
iamrevolutionary says
73 ----75???? What's the diff...RIGHT?! OMG..........This is becoming a habit!
09:00 PM
Kottage Kat says
The man involved in the bike accident.
04:51 PM
Kottage Kat says
Praying for this man and his family.
04:35 PM
Exxcellent says
Does anyone know anything about the older gentleman who was hit by a car on 250 this afternoon? He was riding a bike. I pray he will live, I hear it was terrible. I know someone who witnessed it. Register? Any word? It was 250 & Bogart Rd. Keep him in your prayers.