Details are still sketchy and the answers are few. The victim's body was apparently discovered on Sep. 12, though reports of the story have only reached the media (AP) this evening. It is way too early to speculate given the possibility of suicide, though one wonders what would be the purpose of a self-inscribed message of 'Fed' without an accompanying suicide note, which has not been found in this case.
A U.S. Census worker found hanged from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery had the word "fed" scrawled on his chest, a law enforcement official said Wednesday, and the FBI is investigating whether he was a victim of anti-government sentiment.
The law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and requested anonymity, did not say what type of instrument was used to write the word on the chest of Bill Sparkman, a 51-year-old part-time Census field worker and teacher. He was found Sept. 12 in a remote patch of the Daniel Boone National Forest in rural southeast Kentucky.
The Census Bureau has suspended door-to-door interviews in rural Clay County, where the body was found, pending the outcome of the investigation. An autopsy report is pending.
Investigators have said little about the case. FBI spokesman David Beyer said the bureau is assisting state police and declined to confirm or discuss any details about the crime scene.
"Our job is to determine if there was foul play involved — and that's part of the investigation — and if there was foul play involved, whether that is related to his employment as a Census worker," said Beyer.
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Later in the article (quotes are from a retired Kentucky state trooper):
"I told him on more than one occasion, based on my years in the state police, 'Mr. Sparkman, when you go into those counties, be careful because people are going to perceive you different than they do elsewhere,'" Acciardo said.
"Even though he was with the Census Bureau, sometimes people can view someone with any government agency as 'the government.' I just was afraid that he might meet the wrong character along the way up there," Acciardo said.
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DB here. It doesn't sound like suicide, but only fools speculate so we won't engage. Violence is not the answer, however, and if this were an act borne of anti-government fervor, then an innocent Census employee lost his life needlessly. This was a guy trying to make a living who had been supplementing his income since 2003 with the Bureau. I do not care how angry you are at Washington and our captured and corrupted system, we will not make change by fighting each other. This is the trap. Do not fall prey.
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Update: Rachel Maddow discusses the case.