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Inset: Matthew Becker (Anchorage Police Department). Background: The Alaska business where Matthew Becker opened fire on his ex-wife with a pistol (Arizona”s Family).
In a chilling turn of events, an Arizona man diagnosed with terminal cancer embarked on a tragic journey from Arizona to Alaska, aiming to kill his ex-wife. Authorities report that he waited outside a hair salon she owns and then opened fire as she approached the entrance. Tragically, he also took the life of her father before being found deceased the following day.
Matthew Becker, a 61-year-old known for his work as a stand-up comedian and owner of a comedy club, faced serious charges including first-degree murder and third-degree assault following these violent incidents in Anchorage. His ex-wife and her father, Romaine Clark, 87, were the targets in this shocking series of events. Becker was discovered dead in the woods of Eagle River just a day after the attacks, according to a statement released by the police.
The circumstances surrounding Becker’s death remain uncertain. Reports from his brother to local Alaskan media revealed that Becker had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but the timing and impact of this diagnosis are not clear. This information was shared by the local news outlet, Arizona’s Family.
Details of the attempted murder on Becker’s ex-wife are documented in a criminal complaint obtained by KTUU, a local NBC affiliate. According to the complaint, the woman contacted Anchorage Police stating that Becker had attempted to shoot her. Despite their swift response, officers arrived too late as Becker had already fled the scene.
Officers responded to the scene, but Becker fled prior to their arrival.
The ex-wife told police she arrived at her salon and parked her car in front of the business. Becker was in a Nissan Altima parked directly next to her vehicle, according to the complaint.
“[The woman] advised she began walking toward the entrance of the building to unlock the door,” the complaint explains. “As she passed the Silver Altima she observed the driver, Becker, seated in the driver’s seat. [The woman] advised she was unaware her ex-husband was in state as he moved to Arizona after their divorce.”
As she got to the door to her salon, the woman attempted to unlock it “but believed it had been tampered with as her key would not go into the lock,” according to the complaint. Becker exited the vehicle and began walking toward the woman.
“As Becker advanced toward her, she backed away,” the complaint says. “Becker utilized a pistol and began firing multiple shots at her as she ran from him in fear of losing her life.”
The woman ran away from her business toward an area where several other businesses were located. She hid until Becker left in the Altima, and then she called police.
The woman told authorities she was worried about her father, who lived with her in Airport Heights, being targeted as well. When cops went to check on him, Clark was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police believe Becker went directly to the woman’s house after the encounter with her at the salon and shot Clark through a plate-glass window at the rear of the residence.
Friends who were waiting to meet up with the octogenarian were the first to discover Clark after they showed up for a planned outing, according to the complaint.
Becker’s brother told KTUU that he had been living in Arizona since the couple divorced in 2020. He owned a comedy club called Chuckleheads in Bisbee and there are videos online showing Becker doing stand-up.
Police have not released a cause of death for him yet.