Cleveland murder suspect arrested in Fort Payne, confesses to shooting

Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson holds a press conference concerning the capture of murder suspect Sean Hale.
Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson holds a press conference concerning the capture of murder suspect Sean Hale.
photo Sean Scott Hale

The suspect in a Cleveland homicide has been arrested in Fort Payne, Ala.

Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson announced today local authorities arrested Sean Scott Hale, 26, in connection with the murder of Thomas Creek Jr., 34, while walking along a stretch of I-59 yesterday.

"Sean Hale confessed to shooting Thomas Creek, Jr," Gibson said.

A stolen vehicle used in commission of the murder was found burned in Fort Payne, Gibson said.

Hale, who was detained along with his brother John, awaits extradition to Cleveland.

Gibson said Creek appears to have died from gunshot wounds to his head.

In an unrelated incident, skeletal remains have been found in a wooded lot in neighborhood in northwestern Cleveland.

Police began an investigation Wednesday morning after a resident of the 3100 block of Wesdell Lane reported his dog brought home "what appeared to be a human skull," Gibson said.

At this time, police do not believe foul play was involved. They are are trying to determine if the remains belong to a missing person and are awaiting DNA tests.

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