New details released in November shooting death of Mescal man
guns stolen from house; cell phone records reviewed
88-CRIME offering $2500 reward for tips
MESCAL - It has been nearly two months since Mark Bigelow was shot in the head on his rural Mescal property. Ten days later he died of his injuries, and the lack of an arrest for his murder is frustrating for Bigelow’s family who are waiting for an arrest they hope will lead to some closure.
The case status is also frustrating for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) detectives who want Bigelow’s killer - or killers - behind bars “as soon as possible,” according to lead detective Chris Hogan. Investigators are currently processing evidence seized from “multiple search warrants” and following up leads, explained Hogan in a recent interview. But Hogan is certain whoever killed Bigelow “was known to him.”
Bigelow was found November 6 outside his home on the 13000 block of South Bell Road by a neighbor who called 9-1-1 around 5:30pm. The sheriff’s office previously reported Bigelow was “conscious and breathing” but with “obvious signs of trauma.” He was flown to the trauma center at Banner UMC in Tucson where the 55 year-old died November 16 with his family at his side.
This week detective Hogan released additional information about the murder, including the fact that someone shot at Bigelow “more than once.” Hogan also noted investigators have identified “a few people” believed to have been at or near Bigelow’s property the day of the shooting. Detectives have done “numerous interviews,” said Hogan, and are reviewing cell phone records to help pinpoint where certain people were at the time Bigelow was shot.
Hogan explained authorities are also waiting for forensics results from the state crime lab, but he would not discuss what information Bigelow disclosed to authorities at the scene or after he got out of surgery. One thing Hogan would confirm is that investigators believe some items were removed from Bigelow’s home after the shooting, including two of Bigelow’s guns.
Authorities are looking for a “small caliber pocket pistol” and a “long Colt cowboy type revolver,” noted Hogan. A leather holster for the Colt is also missing, and is distinguishable by its custom design and leatherwork. It is possible the guns have been sold to or traded to people who are not aware the firearms are connected to a murder.
The sheriff’s office also announced that the 88-CRIME organization has put out a reward flyer to help generate tips in the case. Up to $2,500 is now available to those who call in tips that result in an arrest and conviction in Bigelow’s murder. Callers to the tip line (520-882-7463) can remain anonymous and collect calls are accepted.
Bigelow’s brother Scott Hofmann helped post the reward flyers in the Mescal area Saturday morning. Hofmann is “hopeful,” he said, that someone will be motivated by the reward offer and the ability to remain anonymous, because he knows “someone knows something.” Flyers will also be posted throughout the Benson area in the next few days.
Two possible suspects have been identified on some social media postings. However, those names are not being reported until there is an arrest or PCSD officially declares someone a suspect.
=======
Contact reporter Terri Jo Neff at 520-508-3660 and cjw_media@yahoo.com
READ THE ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
MESCAL MAN WITH GUN SHOT WOUND DEAD 10 DAYS LATER, DESPITE BRAIN SURGERY December 7, 2016 | Terri Jo Neff
=======
