AP/Lang
1/23/21
Two people are in custody in a Cedar Rapids man’s death that authorities say was staged to look like a suicide.
Police say 44-year-old Randal Joseph Campbell was found dead June 21, 2019, at a Hamilton Street SW residence with an air rifle positioned on his lap and torso, making it appear as if he had committed suicide.
Investigators determined that 28-year-old Joshua Conklin actually shot Campbell at close range with the air rifle. The pellet from the rifle went through Campbell’s right eye and entered his brain, causing his death.
Investigators learned that Conklin had been living in the detached garage at the Hamilton Street address and had a recent conflict with the owner of the residence, Campbell’s mother. Conklin was captured on video surveillance near the detached garage leaving the crime scene with his girlfriend and Campbell’s niece, 26-year-old Felisha Campbell.
Conklin is now charged with second-degree murder and obstructing justice in Campbell’s death. He was transferred to the Linn County jail on Friday to face the charges.
Felisha Campbell was dating Conklin at the time of Randal Campbell’s death. She is accused of conspiring with Conklin to obstruct the investigation, including admitting to concocting the idea of staging her uncle’s death as a suicide.