For Mesa family, investigation is still ongoing

MESA — Robert Nathaniel Kirk was known as a guy who stuck up for his friends. His parents believe it may have cost “Nate” his life.

On Aug. 28, 2006, he was found half-clothed in the shallow end of a swimming pool near McKellips and Power roads. Firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene, and Mesa police investigators have closed the case as an accidental death.

But Nate’s parents, Jim and Robyn Kirk, have been working for more than two years to revive the investigation.

They have kept in touch with the Mesa Police Department, posted reward fliers, created websites in memory of their son and conducted their own research to add to the case.

In June 2007, Jim Kirk, Nate’s father, ran small ads in the Phoenix New Times offering a $110,000 reward for any information regarding the death of his son.  Still, no one has come forward.

Jim Kirk also created a page on MySpace dedicated to Nate and the family’s quest for reopening the case.

“Nate was a cautious, sweet, sharing person,” Robyn Kirk says.  “He was your friend, your lover, your all.”

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, PARENTS SAY

Nate was 22 at the time of his death. Mesa police records show he was wearing a “white button-up shirt, a pair of boxer shorts, and a pair of low-top socks” when he was found lying in his family’s backyard swimming pool at 1852 N. Saffron Circle in Mesa. Records also reported no signs of foul play after inspecting the area.

Although there were signs of bruising and scratches on Nate’s body, Mesa police reported them to be results of removing the body from the pool. Autopsy reports later showed he had alcohol and a lethal amount of cocaine in his system.

The body was then sent to the Maricopa Medical Examiner’s Office and inspected by Dr. Ruth Kolmeier, who ruled that Nate Kirk died by accidental drowning.

After receiving the Medical Examiner’s ruling, the Mesa Police Department closed the case and has not taken part in any further investigation.

Nate’s family, however, was not satisfied with the police department’s decision. Robyn Kirk told police she believed foul play was involved.

“It is unusual that Nate had clothes on in the pool, but was not in possession of his phone or wallet,” Robyn Kirk says. “I think he went outside to meet someone.”

Nate was also threatened seven days before he was found dead, according to police records.

“[Nate] was threatened because he stood up for a friend. He was very protective of his friends and family,” Robyn Kirk says. “They told him he was a ‘dead man.’ ”

CASE FAR FROM OVER FOR KIRKS

The Mesa Police Department did follow up with an investigation of the men who had made the comment, but the investigation was concluded in the same day, but police records show that no arrest was made.

The Kirks have been persistent in working to reopen the case. The Mesa Police Department has continued to receive faxed documents from Jim Kirk with information supporting his suspicions of his son’s death, police records show. The family is currently working with attorneys Michael Wicks and Michael Kimmer in another approach to reopen the case of their son’s death.

Still, no further action has been taken. But the Kirks do not plan on stopping attempts to reopen the case any time soon, and will not rest until they find further information on their son’s mysterious death.

If you have any information regarding the death of Robert Nathaniel Kirk, contact Jim or Robyn Kirk at (602) 738-8987 or the Mesa Police Department at (480) 644-2324.

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>>Email the editor at aklaw@zoniereport.com.