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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Valley man died from multiple gunshot wounds

The man found dead last week in his Spokane Valley apartment died of multiple gunshot wounds, the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.

The man’s father found his son, Clifford D. Fowler, 33, who went by Cory, dead in an apartment at 12925 E. Mansfield Ave. the morning of Feb. 18, court document say. Investigators found a bloody scene on arrival, with gunshot wounds to Fowler’s chest and back. Fowler’s father told investigators the door was unlocked when he arrived.

Investigators recovered several spent bullet casings on the floor, which were a different size than the wounds on Fowler’s body, court documents say.

Fowler’s body was decomposing and had started to mummify, court documents say. He worked from home and led a private life, and had not been heard from since Feb. 11, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. He was involved in a custody battle with his ex-girlfriend in Kootenai County, court documents say, but his girlfriend said she had no idea where Fowler was in the days leading up to his death.

Investigators have filed multiple warrants to search Fowler’s computer, cellphone and email, as well as his girlfriend’s phone and email records.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating his death as a homicide and is asking anyone with information about Fowler’s activities before his death to call the Major Crimes Tip Line at (509) 477-3186.