Sparkman Found Naked, Bound, Gagged: Witness

More disturbing details continue to trick out in the apparent murder of Bill Sparkman, 51, part-time census worker who some feel was killed in an anti-government act. A witness has come forward and described the body, when found, as hanging in a rural Kentucky cemetery naked, gagged, with hands and feet bound with duct tape.

The AP reported on Friday statements by Jerry Weaver of Fairfield, Ohio. He was among a group of relatives who discovered Bill Sparkman's body on Sept. 12.

"The only thing he had on was a pair of socks," Weaver said. "And they had duct-taped his hands, his wrists. He had duct tape over his eyes, and they gagged him with a red rag or something.

"And they even had duct tape around his neck. And they had like his identification tag on his neck. They had it duct-taped to the side of his neck, on the right side, almost on his right shoulder."

Given all this new information, it seems there is good reason to believe the killing of Bill Sparkman was based on anti-government sentiment.

While police would not officially confirm Weaver's statement, two people briefed on the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said various details of Weaver's account matched the crime scene. They confirmed that a Census ID badge was found taped to his head and shoulder area.

While no official statement has yet been made on the cause of Sparkman's death, there's no doubt in Weaver's mind on the question of suicide or murder. "He was murdered. There's no doubt."