Black Suspected Early in Loper Investigation

Court documents show that a man arrested in the slaying of a Collin County fitness instructor drew investigators' attention almost immediately.

Terrance Black, 48, is being held in Arizona in the death of Susan Loper, whose body was found in a field last week after she disappeared from the country club where she taught.

According to court documents, several of Loper's loved ones implicated Black as a potential suspect who knew her schedule. They said he had a difficult time accepting their breakup more than a year and a half ago, the documents said.

"Loper and Black had been in a relationship that ended badly when Black became 'obsessed' with Loper and his actions toward her were described as 'smothering'..." Loper's mother, Catherine Miller, told investigators on the day of her daughter's disappearance.

Friends backed up the statement. According to the search warrant affidavit, he "recently attempted to give Susan Loper gifts which she refused, resulting in Black becoming angry."

U.S. National Park Service rangers took Black into custody after he fled rangers and leapt from the rim of the Grand Canyon. He is being treated for injuries from the 25-foot fall and will be extradited to Texas after he is released from the hospital.

Police discovered blood, 9mm bullets and other evidence at the Gleneagles Country Club. They also noticed blood outside where her car had been parked and surveillance cameras showed her car arriving and leaving the country club.

North Texas Tollway Authority records indicate that Loper's vehicle was driven north on the tollway to Frisco and exited at Lebanon Road, not far from where her body was eventually found. The agency's records also show that her sport utility vehicle headed south again on the tollway a short time later and exited at Parker Road.

Loper's SUV was ultimately found at an apartment complex at 2525 Preston Road where investigators say Black's 2004 Cadillac Escalade was seen at about the time of the offense.

The area is about a mile from the country club.

Police looked for 9mm bullets, any blood or physical evidence related to the crime, clothing and a watch of Loper's at Black's home.

Black had no criminal record.

The search warrant affidavit did not mention violence between the couple but said Craig Loper, her former husband, "was involved in a physical altercation at Susan Loper's residence because Black became extremely agitated and combative toward Susan Loper."

Craig Loper said by phone Monday night that the incident, which occurred at a holiday get-together a few years ago, was more of a verbal argument that did not get physical.

He said Black may have been uncomfortable around the entire family. Loper said words were exchanged and his former wife asked Black to leave. When Black didn't immediately leave, he stepped in and told Black to respect Susan Loper's wishes.

Loper said he had not seen or heard from Black since then.

He also said that his former wife had been involved with someone else over the last year.

Loper  said their son, Jake, is back in school, trying to adjust and keep as normal a schedule as possible.

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