Biloxi Lighthouse: Cause of Suicide?
By Sue Clark on Sep 8, 2008 in News, Opinion 
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Bolton Hayes Found Dead of Gunshot Wound
Although manner of death hasn’t yet been published, it’s being assumed that Hayes Bolton took his own life with a gun sometime between the evening of Thursday, September 4, when he was last seen alive, and Saturday, September 6, when he was found dead in his house. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and further details will be revealed at a later date.
Hayes Bolton had been given until thirty days to put up a fence or face possible jail time if he didn’t comply with Judge Robin Midcalf’s orders. A history of non-compliance with these orders led the city of Biloxi to attempt to take his “eyesore” property across from the Biloxi Lighthouse by eminent domain. Bolton owned a pawn shop across from the lighthouse, and city officials have been attempting to acquire the property to make into a park.
Murder, Or Suicide?
I find it hard to believe that someone would commit suicide over the possibility of 30 days in jail. Particularly since Bolton was extremely defiant when it came to the law and has managed to avoid putting up a proper fence, as envisioned by the city of Biloxi. Perhaps he was murdered? Reports are that he was a very “mean” person, even to his customers, and perhaps made quite a few enemies. With all due respect to his family in their time of sorrow, that seems to be a more likely scenario.
But what will happen to his property now? Will his heirs be more willing to sell to the city, or at least to comply with the request for a fence? Only time will tell, and I’m sure that there will be more to come.
Original story at the Sun Herald.
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More About Biloxi Lighthouse
- Biloxi Lighthouse Held Together By Plastic Ties?
- Property Owner Rights vs. Lighthouse
- Bolton Fence Rejected - Again
- Bolton-Biloxi Lighthouse Fight Continues
- Biloxi Lighthouse: Cause of Suicide?
September 25th, 2008 at 12:40 am
That is indeed scary. This guy must have had either mental issues or something else that drove him to commit suicide. Perhaps it was murder. Who knows and unless there is a formal investigation, we will never know.
Really sad this.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:10 am
As far as I know, it’s been ruled a suicide by the ME. As you say, it’s a sad case. Unfortunately, we’ll never know what was going through his mind at the time.