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The Montana Teacher of the Year was known for his words of wisdom, volunteering his time, coaching, mentoring, helping students in need, and leaving lasting impact on everyone he taught. So when he was gunned down in the early morning hours of September 30th, 1996 the community was shook. Within days, focus shifted on two former students of his. But between an acquittal and lack of evidence, nobody has ever been found guilty in the case. Small town rumors say that everyone knows who did it and its an open secret, but everyone has been too scared to talk. Cold case investigators are taking another shot at the case, and they hope the passage of time might motivate those who know something to come forward.

TIPS: Missoula County Tip line at (406) 258-3302.

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Sources (more at newspapers.com username asimplertimetruecrimepod) All cannot be listed due to character limitations:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57687597/clifford_lee-nelson
https://www.khq.com/regional/montana-murder-mysteries-uncovering-the-cliff-nelson-cold-case/article_a064ca31-1bbf-5343-86eb-e7244ee7fa49.html
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-cliff-nelson-shooting-10/171135200/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-mentor-and-friend/171135401/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-teacher-killed/171138047/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-award-will-honor-cl/171138142/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-students-reactions/171167408/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-two-questioned/171174185/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-suspcts/171174317/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-suspects-issues-with-clif/171174432/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-more-of-suspect-timeline/171175159/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-arrest-made/171175321/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-suspects-arrested/171176292/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-suspects-arrested/171176292/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-1-year-memorial/171179703/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-hooser-not-guilty/171179865/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-trial-details/171191997/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-kids-recreate-class-theat/171192044/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-beginning-of-trial/171192075/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-seeley-lake-murder/171192330/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-cellmate/171192428/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-car-sounds-similar/171192550/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-acquittal/171193052/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-debrief-of-trial-and-impa/171193321/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-gun-arrest/171194721/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-musical-tribute/171194354/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-tip-hooser-assault/171194290/

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