THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230639
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B11 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
The body of a man suspected in the slaying of his girlfriend was found Monday, floating in the Elizabeth River across from the Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
The body of Derek J. Clawson, 32, was spotted about 6:30 a.m. from a boat about 300 yards off shore, said Amber Whittaker, spokeswoman for the Portsmouth Police Department.
The body was recovered by the Coast Guard. Cause of death has not been released pending an autopsy, Whittaker said.
Clawson had been wanted by police since April 12, when his girlfriend, Dedra Sanders, 35, was stabbed to death at the residence the couple shared in the 50 block of Manly St.
Witnesses reported seeing Clawson riding away on a bicycle.
KEYWORDS: MURDER SUSPECT by CNB