The death of a man in Oregon has raised questions about the 1983 shooting death of his wife. Randal "Randy" McEvers, aged 70, killed himself with a headshot wound on February 8th.

After his wife's case was reopened this year, investigators have spoken to 20 people.

The Oregonian reported Thursday that McEvers had just been interviewed by a Washington County Sheriff's Office detective. They asked him questions about the death of his wife, Nancy. And after the interview he killed himself.

At the time of her death, Nancy McEvers was 28 years old. And she had a one-year-old son.

Facts of 1983 death resurface

It was Randy that called 911 in 1983. And reported that his wife had committed suicide by shooting herself.

McEvers told investigators conflicting versions of the 1983 events. But the autopsy and forensic evidence always indicated that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted.

The case was suspended in August 1983 after McEvers stopped cooperating with police. And the investigators ran out of leads.

The sheriff’s office says that its forensic team and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab have validated the original ruling of murder, not suicide.

 On February 8 McEvers had been named as a suspect in his wife's death. And investigators had planned to hand over their findings to prosecutors. However, with his death, the case is now closed.

This tragic event highlights the importance of thorough investigations in cases of suspicious deaths. And even if they occurred decades ago, they are still solvable.

 Advances in forensic science and the re-examination of old evidence can sometimes shed new light on old cases. And leads to a better understanding of what reppened. 

Violent acts can extend far beyond the immediate aftermath, affecting the lives of those left behind for decades to come. The death of Nancy McEvers nearly 40 years ago still haunts her family and friends. But at least now they know what happened.