KSP: Census worker committed suicide

State News

Discussion

November 24, 2009

Arranged scene to look like murder

By RONNIE ELLIS The Glasgow Daily Times Tue Nov 24, 2009, 03:33 PM CST

FRANKFORT — Bill Sparkman, the U.S. Census worker found dead and nude with his hands taped near a remote Clay County cemetery with “FED” scrawled across his naked chest, hanged himself while staging it to look as if he’d been murdered.

That’s the conclusion of “a very thorough investigation” by the Kentucky State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the state Medical Examiner’s Office and Clay County Coroner Jim Trosper.

Sparkman, 51, was a part-time census worker whose body was found Sept. 12 in a clearing near a cemetery in a remote area of Clay County. His feet and hands were bound by duct tape and his federal identification badge was taped to his head. He was wearing only his socks and the letters “FED” were scrawled across his chest, apparently with a felt-tipped pen or marker.

But KSP Capt. Lisa Rudzinski, Post 11 Commander in London, said the investigation indicates Sparkman staged the scene to look like a murder after recently taking out two accidental life insurance policies which in total would have paid out $600,000. The policies covered accidental death and would not have paid out for death from natural causes or suicide. Sparkman had previously been treated for cancer and apparently thought it had returned, Rudzinski said.

“Our determination is that he did those things himself to make it look like he was killed because he was a federal employee,” Rudzinski said.

She said his feet were touching the ground and forensic examinations indicated the lettering on his chest was “written from the bottom up,” and all Sparkman had to do to save himself “at any time was stand up.” The only DNA evidence found at the scene was that of Sparkman, she said.

She also said Sparkman told “a credible witness” on the Saturday before he died that he planned to kill himself because he thought his cancer had returned. She would not identify the witness. She said the male witness said Sparkman provided details about how and when he planned to die. The witness did not warn anyone, KSP Det. Donald Wilson said, because – he told investigators – he didn’t believe Sparkman follow through with his plans.

Additionally, said Cristin Rolf, the state medical examiner, there was no indication of trauma on Sparkman’s body which might have been expected in a struggle. She also said the manner in which Sparkman’s wrists were bound allowed him to maneuver his hands and spread his arms as wide as his shoulders. That, Rudzinski said, allowed Sparkman to create the circumstances of the way his body was found.

The cause of death was asphyxiation.

Sparkman’s son, Josh, had questioned previous reports his father may have committed suicide, but Rudzinski said investigators met with Josh Sparkman who she said “understands why we waited as long as we did” to announce the results of their investigation. “Our hearts go out to him,” she said.

Sparkman’s death prompted the Census Bureau to halt home visits but the agency has now resumed its normal operations, according to FBI Supervising Special Agent David Beyer. He and KSP Det. Wilson said anti-government sentiment in the area initially was thought possibly to be a motive in Sparkman’s death. But Beyer said with the determination Sparkman died by suicide, the FBI’s involvement is ended.

Rudzinski said investigators interviewed more than one suspect but ruled out their involvement. She said she is confident Sparkman died by suicide.

“This is one of the most thorough death investigations I’ve ever seen,” Rudzinski said.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.

Text Only

State News

EVENING UPDATE: Supreme Court: Lawmakers to run in old districts
Legislative candidates will have to run in decade-old districts in this year’s elections, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Friday afternoon.

February 24, 2012
Stivers withdraws pseudoephedrine bill
In a move that surprised both supporters and opponents, the sponsor of a bill to require prescriptions for medications containing pseudoephedrine withdrew the bill in the state Senate Thursday.

February 23, 2012
Gambling talk, cold medicine dominates week
First it was redistricting which dominated every conversation in the 2012 General Assembly. Lawmakers couldn’t resolve that issue and it’s now before the state Court of Appeals which is expected to seek to transfer the case to the state Supreme Court.

February 17, 2012
Drug bill clears committee
It took some blunt testimony and visual evidence and the vote was close, but the Senate Judiciary Committee passed out a bill Thursday to require prescriptions for the purchase of products containing pseudoephedrine.

February 16, 2012
Senate committee looks at constables
A state Senate committee revised a proposed constitutional amendment which would have eliminated the office of constable Wednesday, choosing instead to offer a statute to allow local governments to define constables’ duties through ordinance.

February 16, 2012
Medicaid managed care groups reassure committee
Medicaid managed care organizations went before a restive Senate committee whose members have been bombarded with complaints from providers about late payments for Medicaid services.

February 16, 2012
Gambling amendment introduced
Gov. Steve Beshear and Republican Sen. Damon Thayer on Tuesday announced the much anticipated gambling amendment they hope to push through the legislature, an amendment that would allow up to seven casinos, five at existing horse racing tracks.

February 15, 2012
Activists gather to protest mountaintop removal
Their message was clear, though not everyone agrees with it.

February 15, 2012
Kentucky pharmacists unhappy with rates
A roomful of Kentucky pharmacists Monday made clear their dissatisfaction with some of their reimbursement rates under the newly implemented Medicaid managed care system before a legislative committee.

February 14, 2012
LRC appeals to Supreme Court
A lawyer for the governing arm of the state legislature has filed an appeal asking the state Supreme Court to dissolve a Franklin Circuit Court temporary injunction that 2012 candidates for the legislature run under 2002 district lines and set aside its ruling that the new district lines passed this year are unconstitutional.

February 14, 2012
More State News Headlines

State News

Search Results

Discussion

KSP: Census worker committed suicide

Arranged scene to look like murder

Site Map