POTECASI – Homicide has been ruled out in one of two cases currently being investigated by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Captain D.M. Harmon told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald on Friday that the death of 59-year-old Clint Long of Potecasi has been ruled as a suicide.

“Following an autopsy performed earlier this week by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Greenville, it was determined that the gunshot wound to Mr. Long’s head was self-inflicted,” Captain Harmon said.

Initially, Sheriff’s investigators were working the case as a homicide. Long was found alone in his residence, located at Lot 31 in Potecasi Mobile Home Park.

Meanwhile, the death of Long’s neighbor, 22-year-old Anthonio Parker of Lot 27 in Potecasi Mobile Home Park, remains as a murder investigation. A couple taking an early morning walk on Friday, Nov. 7 discovered Parker’s body in a ditch along the Dusty Hill Road, approximately 100 yards from the NC 35 intersection.

An autopsy performed Monday in Greenville revealed that Parker died of a gunshot wound to the neck.

Captain Harmon said no arrests have been made at this time and that all leads are being investigated.

The SBI is assisting the Northampton Sheriff’s Office with the Parker murder case.

Harmon continues to ask for the public’s help in solving this murder.

“The Dusty Hill Road is used by many motorists, especially on weekdays,” Harmon noted. “There may be someone traveling that road who noticed something unusual in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 7. If so, we need them to contact us immediately.”

Those with information can call the Sheriff’s Office at 252-534-2611 or the Crimestopper’s Hotline at 252-534-1110. The caller’s identity is kept confidential.