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Number of unattended deaths up
By Philip Holsinger, The Daily Citizen
A man discovered dead in a briar patch near his home in Rose Bud Saturday is believed to have died of natural causes, Chief Deputy of the White County Sheriff's Department Wayne Black said.
The Sheriff's department has received an unusually high number of unattended death reports over the last six weeks, three on Monday alone, causing the department's detectives to scramble, Black said.
William H. Hemenway, 48, of 304 Holleman Rd, Rose Bud, was discovered dead, lying in a briar patch by a neighbor Saturday evening when the neighbor went to check on the man, according to a Sheriff's report. The neighbor, Wayne J. Wildman, 61, told deputies he had not seen the victim since June 14 and assumed he was with a sister. Wildman had gone to Hemenway's home to "check on his dog" when he noticed "a strong stench in the air near the trailer," according to the report. Hemenway was about 35 yards from his home, according to the report.
"We have had 10 unattended death reports recently," Black said. "A lot more than usual. And it really keeps the detectives hopping."
When a person dies without a witness there may have to be an investigation into the death, especially if the victim is not known to have had health problems or if they are young, Black said.
Of the 10 unattended deaths reported to the Sheriff since May 11 (only one was reported to Searcy Police in this time), four were of people under the age of 48.
Unattended deaths are often the result of a long-standing illness and sometimes involve Hospice Care, Black said. But not always. And when a death occurs that has no immediate cause or explanation the department has to be sure to look closely to make sure no foul play is involved.
On Monday the Sheriff's department was called to make three separate reports of unattended deaths. At 2:15 a.m. Monday an 84-year-old Russell woman was discovered dead at her home. AT 12:37 p.m. a 68-year-old Griffithville man was found dead at his home. And at 5:18 p.m. a 72-year-old Searcy woman was discovered dead in her home.
June 10, deputies reported a 70-year-old Searcy woman discovered by a neighbor.
May 31, a 73-year-old Searcy man was discovered by his son.
May 22, two reports were made by deputies, one of a 90-year-old Letona a woman who died at her home and the second of a 37-year-old Searcy woman discovered dead by her husband.
May 14, a 48-year-old Clarksville, Texas, man died of unknown causes and was brought into the Central Arkansas Hospital.
And on May 11, a 40-year-old Judsonia man was found by his wife at home.
The high number of reports has no apparent explanation, Black said. "It's just one of those things."
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