Representative Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican, has reported that the body of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was unavailable for examination when he tried to inspect it.
According to Newsweek, Higgins made this revelation in a preliminary investigation report following his three-day visit to Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier in August.
Rep. Higgins, who is part of the House task force investigating the shooting, detailed his findings in the report submitted to Rep. Mike Kelly, the chairman of the task force. Higgins stated that his attempt to examine Crooks' body on August 5 revealed a surprising fact: the FBI had released the body for cremation on July 23, ten days after the incident.
In his report, Higgins expressed concern about this development, noting that even local authorities, including the County Coroner and law enforcement officials, were unaware of the body's release until his inquiry on August 5. The congressman questioned the FBI's decision to release the body so quickly, suggesting that it could be seen as an obstruction to further investigative efforts.
Higgins wrote in his report:
My effort to examine Crooks' body on Monday, August 5, caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact … the FBI released the body for cremation 10 days after J13. On J23, Crooks was gone. Nobody knew this until Monday, August 5, including the County Coroner, law enforcement, Sheriff, etc.
The release of Crooks' body has raised questions about the proper procedures and authority in such cases. Higgins noted in his report that while the Butler County Coroner technically had legal authority over the body, the coroner would not have released it for cremation or burial without specific permission from the FBI.
This revelation has led to concerns about the coordination between federal and local authorities in handling evidence related to high-profile cases. Higgins' report suggests that the early release of the body may have compromised the ability to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the shooting incident.
The congressman also pointed out that both the coroner's report and the autopsy report were delayed. He expressed frustration at being unable to personally examine the body, stating that this limitation would prevent him from independently verifying the accuracy of the official reports and photographs.
In his report, Higgins emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation, stating his commitment to answering every question, exploring every theory, and erasing every doubt. He stressed that the American people deserve to know the full truth about the attempted assassination of President Trump.
The congressman's office released a statement on Thursday, clarifying that the submitted report details some of his findings so far but is "not exhaustive, nor final." Higgins expressed his desire to provide transparency and reassurance to the American public through the release of his preliminary investigative report.
Higgins stated:
As I have said, every question will be answered, every theory explored, and every doubt erased. The American people deserve the full truth on the attempted assassination of President Trump.
The release of this preliminary report has brought attention to the complexities involved in investigating high-profile incidents, particularly when multiple agencies are involved. It has also raised questions about the protocols for handling evidence in cases of national significance.
Rep. Clay Higgins' preliminary investigation report has revealed that the body of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was unavailable for examination when the congressman tried to inspect it. The FBI had released the body for cremation ten days after the incident, a fact that was unknown to local authorities until Higgins' inquiry. Higgins has emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation and promised to provide transparency to the American public as the investigation continues.
