Former Enron executive found dead, a suicide

HOUSTON (AP) -- A former Enron Corp. executive who resigned from the company last May was found shot to death in a car Friday, an apparent suicide, authorities said.

Police in the suburb, Sugarland, confirmed the death of 43-year-old J. Clifford Baxter, a former Enron vice chairman. He was shot in the head.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, Cliff Baxter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," the company said in a statement.

Spokesman Mark Palmer had no additional comment.

Baxter was vice chairman of Enron when he resigned in May 2001, several months before the energy company's collapse.

At the time his resignation was announced, then-President Jeff Skilling said Baxter had made "a tremendous contribution to Enron's evolution, particularly as a member of the team that built Enrons wholesale business."

It said his primary reason for resigning is to spend more time with his family.

He had joined Enron in 1991 and was chairman and CEO of Enron North America prior to being named chief strategy officer for Enron Corp. in June 2000 and vice chairman in October 2000, the company said.