Tippett Death Ruled Undetermined, No Charges to be Filed


Police say circumstances point to a suicide or an accidental death

LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 6, 2009)—The investigation into the disappearance and death of Mark Alan Tippett has been closed by police and the State's attorney and no criminal charges will be filed. In September of 2006 Tippett was reported missing by his wife, Lisa Tippett. Tippett's remains were recovered last month and although the exact cause of death is unknown there is no evidence Tippett died as a result of a homicide, based on the State Medical Examiner's finding and the investigation. Physical evidence recovered with the remains also provided no information that foul play had occurred, say police.

The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations Cold Case Unit, in cooperation with the States Attorney's Office, released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"In February of 2008 Mark Tippett's disappearance was reclassified as a homicide, based on statements made by Tippett's wife and suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Further investigation revealed the statements of Tippett's wife were not true, based on the condition and location of the remains.

"The totality of the circumstances points to a suicide or an accidental death. This conclusion is supported by the condition of his remains, evidence found with his remains, evidence found shortly after Tippett's disappearance, circumstances of the Tippetts' lives before Mark went missing, statements made by Mark Tippett and examination by the State Medical Examiner's Office.

"Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations met with the Maryland State Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore and the official cause of death is listed as undetermined. Toxicology could not be performed on Tippett's remains, however extensive forensic examination by the Medical Examiner's Office failed to reveal any signs of trauma."

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