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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
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15

Census Worker May Have Hanged Himself

Investigators consider suicide in naked 'fed' case

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(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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15 comments
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divetrader
Nov 6, 09 7:02 AM CST
Question is, is it the law enforcement from Kentucky suggesting suicide? Reply
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Reader64481089
Nov 6, 09 7:05 AM CST
This is how they deflect blame from the vast majority of people living in the area that have but one eyebrow and carry pitch forks to church......gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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dax
Nov 6, 09 7:36 AM CST
And he duct taped his hands how? Reply
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cochiserocks
Nov 6, 09 7:46 AM CST
Yeah - I was going to say: 1. Where were his clothes? 2. If his feet were on the ground, why would he have duct taped his hands before putting the rope up as the article seems to imply. He could have done it afterwards, 3. This is a really really weird story!
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Fondue
Nov 6, 09 8:23 AM CST
Earlier reports said his hands were duct taped far apart - not wrist to wrist. Probably about 10-12" apart.
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