Terminally Ill Arizona Man Kills Ex-Wife's Father in Alaska

Mathew Thomas Becker died in a wooded area after a manhunt following the shooting

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A 61-year-old terminally ill Arizona man named Mathew Thomas Becker first attempted to kill his ex-wife at her Anchorage hair salon, but she escaped unharmed. Becker then went to the home of his ex-wife's 87-year-old father, Romaine Clark, and shot him to death through a back window. Becker fled the scene but was later found dead in a wooded area in Eagle River, Alaska, following a police manhunt.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of terminal illness on individuals and their families, and the potential for violence when someone is facing their own mortality. It also raises questions about access to mental health resources and support for those dealing with terminal diagnoses.

The details

According to police, Becker first shot at his ex-wife as she was unlocking the doors to her Anchorage hair salon on Saturday morning. She was able to flee and hide before calling the police, fearing for her father's safety. Minutes later, police found Romaine Clark, Becker's 87-year-old ex-father-in-law, dead inside his home from gunshot wounds after Becker had opened fire through a back window. Becker then fled the scene, leading to a manhunt that ended the next morning when he was found dead in a wooded area in Eagle River, about 15 miles northeast of Anchorage.

  • On Saturday morning around 9:30am, Becker's ex-wife called police after he shot at her at her Anchorage hair salon.
  • Minutes after the ex-wife's call, police found Romaine Clark, Becker's ex-father-in-law, dead inside his home from gunshot wounds.
  • The manhunt for Becker ended on Sunday morning when he was found dead in a wooded area in Eagle River, Alaska.

The players

Mathew Thomas Becker

A 61-year-old terminally ill Arizona man who owned a comedy club and was the ex-husband of one of the victims.

Romaine Clark

An 87-year-old man who was the father of Becker's ex-wife and was killed by Becker.

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What they’re saying

“Becker's brother told reporters he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been living in Arizona, where he owned Chuckleheads comedy club.”

— Becker's brother

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for greater mental health support and resources for those facing terminal illnesses, as well as the importance of addressing domestic violence and access to firearms to prevent such devastating outcomes.