Plea for community help one year after death investigation

A desperate plea for the public's help has been made nearly a year to the date after a Clayton man died.

The plea on Thursday comes after an exhaustive investigation into the alleged assault and death of 63-year-old James Leager.

At a press conference Thursday morning, Delaware State Police said they have conducted numerous interviews over the past year plus examined forensic evidence.  Even so, they have not been able to make an arrest.

Clayton was found suffering from head and torso injuries in his car, which was located in Smyrna last April. He was treated at  Kent General before dying from his injuries on May 16, 2016.

Police say Leager was at a farm he had worked on, adding he was there "quite frequently."  Police believe the attack was not random.

The continued search has been difficult for Leager's family.  James' brother Mike said his family has endured sleepless nights and the pain of not knowing what happened to his brother.

Through tears, his daughter Leager's daughter Jamie told reporters at the press conference, May 16 is a date she will never forget.

"Not only was it the day that I got married. It was the day that I lost my dad," she said. "It was the day that my son lost his grandfather. It's the day that his grandfather will never get to see how his grandson will be, never get to see him grow up…graduate, get married, have kids, have grandkids."

This investigation is open and active.

Anyone with information is urged to call Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Tips can be submitted anonymously.