Hanged Census Worker May Be Suicide

A Kentucky Census worker found dead in September in an apparent lynching may have taken his own life, the Associated Press reports. Bill Sparkman was found on Sept. 12 hanging naked from a tree with his hands bound and the word "FED" scrawled in his chest. His death led some to speculate he may have been killed by anti-government extremists, but authorities are reportedly doubtful of a political motive and are actively exploring whether the case was a suicide instead. According to the Associated Press, officials are focusing on a lack of defensive wounds and a relatively light amount of duct tape used to bind his hands together. His adopted son has insisted the case is a murder and associates have told the press that he had not appeared depressed or distraught.