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Census Worker May Have Hanged Himself

Investigators consider suicide in naked 'fed' case

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 6, 2009 6:32 AM CST

(AP) – Investigators probing the death of a census worker found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest increasingly doubt he was killed because of his job and are pursuing the possibility of suicide. The suicide theory is gaining steam because there were no defensive wounds on Sparkman's body, law enforcement sources tell the AP, and, though his hands were bound with duct-tape, they may have been mobile enough to manipulate the rope.

Sparkman's naked body was found Sept. 12 hanging from a tree, but in contact with the ground, in a remote patch of the Daniel Boone National Forest in the state of Kentucky. Authorities say Sparkman died of asphyxiation where his body was found. The FBI won't discuss the case, and Kentucky police say that the investigation is ongoing, with homicide, suicide and accident all still on the table.

Sheriff Kevin Johnson talks with a reporter in his office in Manchester, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.

Sheriff Kevin Johnson talks with a reporter in his office in Manchester, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Bill Sparkman speaks to a 7th grade class during a lesson about sound waves in this 2008 file photo.

Bill Sparkman speaks to a 7th grade class during a lesson about sound waves in this 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/The Times-Tribune, File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 13 comments

yukonchuck06

Nov 8, 2009 3:21 AM CST

Well, he must've been new on the job. He probably was still getting the "HANG" of it. Who cares? He probably woke up and said" AWW FUCK, Im a census taker, I don't want to live!"

d3wd

Nov 6, 2009 11:35 AM CST

How is 'accident' still on the table? Is it possible he didn't know the risk of hanging himself by the neck? Or, if someone else did the hanging for him, did they not know he might die? Accident? Poppycock! I suppose it's possible he wanted his suicide to look like a homicide, but why?

pwnage

Nov 6, 2009 9:31 AM CST

I guess you can say he was well hanged. (sorry - it's Friday)

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Crime & Courts • Health • World

suicide • hanging • US Census • 2010 census • Bill Sparkman • anti-government sentiment

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