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 'It Could be a Hate Crime or Serial Killer' Say Police Shot Dead: Gary Matson & Winfield Scott Mowder |
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By Jack Nichols
Happy Valley, California— Gary Matson, 50, and Winfield Scott Mowder, 40, were shot to death last Thursday inside their mobile home on a five acre plot in this small rural community 15 miles southwest of Redding. A missing automobile may, when found, yield clues to the murderer's identity.
The Shasta County sheriff's office is leaving open the possibility that the killing may have been a hate crime. Other possible murderous motives, said detectives, could include robbery or, perhaps, the deaths may form part of a serial killer's spree. On June 20, in the same neighborhood, James "Mark" Amos, 66, was shot to death at home. Investigators are looking into a possible connection to the double homicide.
Gary Matson, a celebrated horticulturist, co-founded the Redding Arboretum and the Carter House Natural Science Museum, which has since become the Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River. Matson also co-founded Redding's Certified Farmer's Market. Winfield Scott Mowder had recently celebrated his 40th birthday as well as his graduation from Cal State Chico. He managed a section of Redding's Orchard Supply Hardware devoted to gardening. Both men are survived by Clea Matson, the elder man's 19-year old daughter who lived with them for an extended time. Persons who may have leads can telephone the Shasta County Sheriff's Department at (530) 245-6144 during business hours and (530) 245-6025 on nights and weekends. |
