(October 10, 2008)—The body of a local business owner found dead in his home Wednesday has undergone autopsy, though the preliminary results have not been released.

The investigation continues into the death of 68-year-old Joe Sturdivant, who was found by his wife Joyce.

Robinson Police Chief Rusty Smith told News 10 that Sturdivant was found in bed with multiple gunshot wounds that didn’t appear to be self-inflicted.

Nothing was reported missing from the home, which was not the case more than a year ago.

In September 2007, the Sturdivant's were attacked and robbed inside their home off South Robinson Drive. There were no arrests made in connection with that crime.

Robinson Police say there is no evidence linking the two crimes at this time.

The Phone Call
Just before 5:30 pm, Robinson Police responded to a call in the 3100 block of Highway 77 from a distressed wife who found her husband mortally wounded.

By the time police and EMS crews arrived on the scene, the man had died.

Robinson police identified the man as 68-year-old Joe Sturdivant, of Robinson, saying the death is a "serious situation."

The Investigation Unfolds
"We don't know what happened," Robinson Police Chief Rusty Smith said Wednesday night.

"We are taking it pretty serious that we got someone who is deceased and we want to know what happened."

Smith added that it appeared Sturdivant was at home alone when his death occurred.

In a press release early Thursday, Chief Smith said, "Robinson Police detectives have discovered what appears to be multiple gunshot wounds to Mr. Sturdivant."

Some five hours after the first 9-1-1 call, investigators from a number of agencies could be seen walking shoulder to shoulder, searching the vast property for any evidence.

The Texas Department of Public Safety's mobile crime lab and Waco Police Department's crime scene truck were called in, as well as portable lights from agencies as far away as the Lacy-Lakeview Fire Department.

Late Wednesday, Sturdivant's body was sent to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner and Forensic Science Laboratories for an autopsy.

Sturdivant a Community Icon
The Sturdivant Family has owned and operated Sturdivant’s Automatic Transmission, located near South 18th Street and Clay Avenue since the late 1960s.

In addition to being a business owner, Joe Sturdivant was also an avid stock car racer, frequently competing in local race circuits.

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Eli Ross, Bill Young and Dallas Cook have contributed to this story.