Howard's Game Part 7

Missing Springdale Man Found Dead

(from the Springdale Sentinel, September 30, 2009)

A body found Tuesday morning behind a residence in south Springdale is that of a man who was reported missing since the 17th. Springdale police identified the body, found buried behind the residence at 1352 Harker Road as that of Richard N. Talbot, 39.

Mr. Talbot had been reported missing on the 25th by his wife, Lindsay Talbot. Mrs. Talbot could not be reached for comment. Police spokesperson Mitchell Saunders indicated the remains would undergo autopsy at Spring County Memorial before transmission to Burt-Schwenson funeral home for final arrangements.



Office of the Spring County Coroner

NAME: Talbot, Richard N.
AUTOPSY NO: 09A-027
DOB: 08/06/1973
DEATH D/T: 9/18/09 approx 1900
AGE: 36Y
AUTOPSY D/T: 09/27/09
PATH MD: MEYER
ID NO: 173217
TYPE: COR
COR/MEDREC#: 1474-09-A
AGE: 39 years
Race: W
Sex: M
Length: 70 inches
Weight: 210 pounds

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

I. Asphyxia by foreign matter lodged in the throat and primary airways
II. Puncture wounds noted on left anterior forearm (appear to be human bite marks)


CAUSE OF DEATH: Asphyxia
MANNER OF DEATH: Homicide


Handwritten Post-it note on the report:

Gary –

I’ve never seen so much dirt in a man’s esophagus and lungs before, even bodies that were buried alive. It’s like somebody forcefully shoved fistfuls in this guy’s mouth.
- H. Meyer