Son of Creedence Clearwater Revival drummer charged with murder after girlfriend and boyfriend found dead, police say

RENO, Nevada (KOLO/Gray News) – The son of a Creedence Clearwater Revival band member has been charged with murder after two bodies were found in separate incidents in Nevada.

Records show that Brent Chandler Clifford, 55, is the son of CCR drummer Doug Clifford, 79.

Brent Clifford faces charges in a complex case that remains under investigation in both Nevada and California.

According to authorities, Brent Clifford is the suspect in connection with the shooting of his friend William F. Andrews (68).

Andrews was found shot to death in a home on Keystone Avenue in Reno on August 11. Police ruled the death a homicide.

Following Andrew's death, Brent Clifford's girlfriend Patricia Portella-Wright, 48, was also reported missing after failing to show up for work.

According to Reno police, Portella-Wright was dating Brent Clifford. She was last seen on August 4 and reported missing on August 9.

After a search, her body was found on August 15 at the bottom of an embankment near Mt. Rose Highway in Nevada, the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office confirmed.

The coroner classified her death as homicide and stated the cause of death as “multiple injuries caused by sharp force.”

Portella-Wright was from Kings Beach, California, on Lake Tahoe. Her death is being investigated by the Placer County Sheriff's Office in California.

Brent Clifford was arrested in Portola, California, on August 14, the day before police found Portella-Wright's body.

Brent Clifford was arraigned in Placer District Court on charges related to Portella-Wright's death and made his initial court appearance on August 16.

Brent Clifford is charged with murder and identity theft in this case.

According to court documents, Brent Clifford obtained Portella-Wright's personal information without her consent and attempted to use her access card. Investigators said the total value of the data exceeded $950.

Brent Clifford is currently being held in the Placer County Jail in California without bail. He is due back in court on September 9.

Reno police said investigators are still working to determine what charges Brent Clifford faces in Nevada in connection with Andrews' death.

As of Thursday, authorities had not announced a possible motive for the suspected killings or released any further information.

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