Initial autopsy inconclusive

An autopsy performed Monday by the regional medical examiner shed no light how a local tow service operator died Saturday. An employee with the Forensic Pathology Department within East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine said the cause of death for Walter Clayton Malloy Sr., 59, is still listed as pending because no definite cause could be identified.



She said the medical examiner was waiting on other information before making a final assessment.



The body of Malloy, owner of Clay’s Wrecker Service, was discovered by his son just before 7 a.m. Saturday behind the Chestnut Street office.



The Greenville Police Department is handling the death investigation. Investigators have not yet classified the death as a homicide.



Malloy family members have said they believe Malloy was killed.



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The son of a tow service operator found dead at their Greenville business early Saturday said that he believes his father was murdered, though police haven't declared it a homicide yet.



Walter Clayton Malloy Sr., 59, was found dead just before 7 a.m. outside Clay's Wrecker Service, 2016 Chestnut St., according to the Greenville Police Department.



Walter Clayton Malloy Jr., who goes by Clay Malloy, said Sunday that he spoke to his father shortly before finding his body.



Their family towing service is open 24 hours daily, Clay Malloy said, and they had a driver quit about 4 a.m. Saturday, so his father came in to help. As Clay Malloy headed out to tow a car illegally parked at an apartment complex, he invited his father to ride along.



“But he said he'd just stay behind,” Clay Malloy said. “He was always looking out for me and told me I'd have more room that way.”



Clay Malloy returned to the office less than 15 minutes later and said he “found him lifeless.”



The brother of Walter Clayton Malloy Sr., Tom Malloy, said Saturday there may have been a confrontation before his brother's death. Clay Malloy said Sunday that he isn't sure about that account.



“My father wasn't the type to have caused a confrontation,” he said. “He would have shut the gate and called the police.”



Regardless, Clay Malloy said his family has come together in mourning.



“All of us are sticking together,” he said. “We may argue and fuss but as a family, you can't beat us.”



He added that the family appreciates the hundreds of friends who have called or stopped by to express their condolences.



Greenville Police Department spokesman Cpl. Kip Gaskins said Sunday afternoon that investigators have no new information to release.



“It has not been ruled a homicide yet,” Gaskins said. “Nothing has changed since yesterday. We're not ruling anything out, of course, but we have no confirmed evidence at this point that it was actually a homicide.”



Clay Malloy said he has faith in the justice system, particularly because of his relationship with Pitt County sheriff-elect Neil Elks and his wife, Connie, who is a Greenville police detective.



“It won't bring my father back but ... I have faith in the sheriff and Clark Everett,” he said. “Justice will be served. Without a shadow of a doubt.”



Clay Malloy asks anyone with information about what happened to call Pitt-Greenville CrimeStoppers at 758-7777.



A funeral for Walter Clayton Malloy Sr. is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wilkerson Funeral Home.