Census Interviewer Death Deemed Suicide
Mark Blumenthal | November 24, 2009
Topics: Interviewers , US Census
In September, we blogged news reports about a Kentucky Census interviewer who was found dead with the word "fed" scrawled across his chest. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports today that authorities have determined the death was a suicide (h/t Alex Lundry):
A U.S. Census worker whose death in a secluded Kentucky cemetery sparked worries about a backlash against the federal government killed himself but tried to make the death look like a homicide, authorities have concluded.
Bill Sparkman, 51, of London, Ky., might have tried to cover the manner of his death to preserve payments under life-insurance polices that he had taken out. The policies wouldn't pay off if Sparkman committed suicide, state police Capt. Lisa Rudzinski said.
"We believe it was an intentional act on his part to take his own life," said Rudzinski, who helped lead the investigation.
TPM's Zachary Roth has the full statement from the Kentucky State Police; The Associated Press and The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe and Carol Morello have more.
By Mark Blumenthal | November 24, 2009 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
