Man Accused Of Caretaker Abuse, Burying Another Man In Backyard

A Cleveland County man is in jail facing a number of charges including unlawful removal of a dead body and abuse by a caretaker.

Wednesday, February 11th 2015, 7:04 pm

By: News 9


A Cleveland County man is in jail facing a number of charges including unlawful removal of a dead body and abuse by a caretaker.

The investigation began last spring after the victim's family filed a missing person's report.

Soon after that, authorities would find the victim's body buried in the backyard.

Police say 60-year-old Donald Patterson told investigators he buried the man in the backyard minutes after his death a year ago. And he said he kept the death a secret to help get the financial affairs in order.

The investigation into Virgil Alexander's death started about month after he died in April 2014. Alexander's family members reported him missing, saying they were seeing "unusual financial occurrences".

Court documents say both times police stopped by Alexander's property on East Robinson Road in Norman, Donald Patterson told them, "Alexander was out of state, being treated for prostate cancer.”

Two days later, police say they were tipped off by a witness saying Alexander had died and "Donald Patterson buried Alexander in a clandestine grave on the property."

Pilot Jim Gardner was over the scene as investigators searched the property in April. Investigators say Patterson led them directly to the body.

"His body was naked, wrapped in plastic, and folded into a plastic storage tote, then buried in the ground."

4/29/2014 Related Story: Norman Police Discover Body Buried In Backyard

Court records say Patterson filmed several of his interactions with Alexander days before his death.

"The video clearly showed that Alexander was incapacitated and unable to care for himself."

But police say the video also shows Alexander asking to be taken to a hospital, but Patterson refused to take him. According to Patterson, Alexander died on February 19 of natural causes. But following his death police say he filled Alexander's narcotic prescriptions and made several purchases on his debit card.

Norman Police say before Alexander's death, Patterson forced him into signing over Power of Attorney.

Police believe he took at least $8,500, but know of other purchases. Cleveland County Sheriff's deputies arrested Patterson Wednesday morning and bonded out Wednesday afternoon.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

February 11th, 2015

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024