Probe continues in former Enron exec's death

By Fred Katayama
CNN

HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) -- Police in the Houston, Texas, suburb of Sugar Land continue to investigate the death of a former Enron Corp. executive after the Harris County medical examiner's office has ruled his death a suicide.

Police are awaiting test results on physical evidence collected at the scene of the executive's death, such as hair fiber found in his car, said police spokeswoman Pat Whitty.

J. Clifford Baxter, 43, was found dead early Friday in his car, which was parked near his house in Sugar Land. Police said he left a suicide note but said they would not disclose its contents without authorization from the Texas attorney general's office.

Sugar Land police planned to release a statement on the investigation Monday morning but decided against it because the medical examiner's office already issued a ruling, Whitty said.

VIDEO/AUDIO   •  Senate unit faults Enron board   •  Corporate corruption in America  MORE STORIES   •  3 Britons charged in Enron fraud   •  Bush pushes for tougher corporate rules   •  Playboy exposes Enron workers  EXTRA INFORMATION   •  Document: Powers report 9.5MB (PDF)   •  CNN/Money Special Report: Your 401(k)   •  Timeline: Shredding through history  RESOURCES   •  In-Depth: The end of Enron?   •  TIME.com: Inside the scandal

The Harris County medical examiner's office ruled Saturday that Baxter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. An investigator said no signs of foul play were found in a Friday night autopsy or in evidence gathered at the scene. The .38-caliber revolver that fired the fatal bullet was registered to Baxter, authorities said.

Once a giant energy company, Enron collapsed in the biggest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history amid accusations of mishandling of funds and shredding of crucial documents. Enron and its accounting firm, Arthur Andersen LLP, are under congressional investigation.

House investigators wanted to speak with Baxter about Enron's business practices, according to a source on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Investigators were in touch with Baxter's attorney about arranging an interview Friday morning, a congressional source said.

Baxter was among the Enron officers and directors who made massive profits cashing in on the company's stock options. He had netted nearly $22 million since October 1998, according to records of stock exchange transactions.

Baxter resigned in May, reportedly unhappy with the company's business practices. He joined Enron in 1991 and was chairman and CEO of Enron North America before being named chief strategy officer for Enron in June 2000 and vice chairman in October 2000. He remained as an Enron consultant after his resignation.

Friends said that Baxter had been disappointed and seemed depressed recently, saying he was "stressed" because he had been named in lawsuits that shareholders filed against the company.