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Life Insurance Scam Eyed in Hanging

Census worker may have disguised suicide as murder

By Emily Rauhala,  Newser User

Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:07 AM CST

(Newser) – A census worker found hanged in September may have staged his death for insurance reasons, police say. Sources tell the AP that Bill Sparkman may have manipulated the scene to make his suicide look like murder so that his son could collect on his insurance policy. "If it's deemed suicide, there's no point in even looking at insurance," says son Josh. "There's no such thing as suicide insurance.

In addition to the private policy found among his things, his family would receive up to $10,000 in death gratuity payments were Sparkman killed on the job, reports the census office. Sparkman says his father seemed upbeat in the days before his death and says that items were apparently stolen from his father's car, pointing to murder. "I just want to know what happened to my dad," he said.

In this undated 2008 photo, Bill Sparkman is seen with 7th grade student, Jessie Roberts during a lesson about sound waves.
In this undated 2008 photo, Bill Sparkman is seen with 7th grade student, Jessie Roberts during a lesson about sound waves.   (AP Photo/The Times-Tribune)
Bill Sparkman speaks to a 7th grade class during a lesson about sound waves.
Bill Sparkman speaks to a 7th grade class during a lesson about sound waves.   (AP Photo/The Times-Tribune, File)
It was near the Hoskins Cemetery in rural Clay County near Manchester, Ky., that census worker Bill Sparkman was found dead.
It was near the Hoskins Cemetery in rural Clay County near Manchester, Ky., that census worker Bill Sparkman was found dead.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
godawgs
Nov 14, 2009 4:35 AM CST
just as I thought, no response from BBT.
KennyBoy
Nov 13, 2009 11:15 AM CST
It was probably done by some cracker KKKops cousins. And you know they take care of their own.
godawgs
Nov 13, 2009 8:27 AM CST
@BBT tell me how the right wing is trying to start a race war. please list specific examples to back up your argument. i will check back later for a response that will never come.

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