HAMILTON, TX — A Central Texas family is searching for answers after their loved one was found dead.
Elijah Warden checked into the Budget Inn motel in Hamilton in July, but never checked out.
Warden’s family spent the last weekend of August remembering their loved one at a backyard memorial.
"He was a bigger than life kind of person, wrote incredible music and lived an incredible life," said Warden’s brother, Rick Sheffield.
The 66 year old paid for a two-night stay, but was found dead in a ditch right outside the motel property line on July 14.
Sheffield called the motel hoping to find out what happened to his brother, but was told multiple, conflicting stories.
"I called there, and the guys answered, and I said, "Have you got an Elijah Warden there?" and he said, "He was found dead in his room 2 or 3 days ago,” and hung up on me,” recalled Sheffield. “After I re-grouped a little bit I called back and I said, "This is Rick Sheffield," and he said "Well, he checked out 2 or 3 days ago,"" continued Sheffield.
The body of the 66-year-old man was sent off for an autopsy report. As the family waits for the results to come back, they are hoping anyone with information will come forward.
"We have just been grieving, but not able to have any closure in our hearts because we don't know how he died," said Warden’s son, Brandon Warden.
The Hamilton Police Department said the case is still an active investigation.
Central Texas News Now will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as they become available.
