By Ronnie Ellis / CNHI News Writer

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.