Central Missouri man charged with hiding father's body
ASSOCIATED PRESS
08/02/2006
VERSAILLES, Mo. (AP) -- A central Missouri man has been charged with hiding his father's body in a dog-filled trailer for more than eight months while using the retiree's pension to buy everything from marijuana to gas.
Rodney Gene Gasper, 33, was arrested Monday at a home in Eldon and charged Tuesday in Morgan County with abandonment of a corpse and six counts of stealing. Bond had not been set.
Morgan County deputies found Robert Gasper's body Saturday under carpeting in his trailer, about 15 miles southeast of Versailles, after another son requested a well-being check. The brother said he had been unable to reach his father for several months.
A white powder that Rodney Gasper said was carpet deodorizer was sprinkled around the remains. Eight dogs also were removed from the trailer. Furniture had been piled up to keep them away from the body.
According to the probable cause statement, Rodney Gasper told authorities he tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate his 72-year-old father in November when he discovered him lying on the floor and not breathing.
He told deputies he did not contact authorities because he and his father were close and his father asked Rodney to keep him at the trailer so they could stay together forever.
After his father died, Rodney Gasper said he spent most of his time with friends, in the woods or near the lake.
Because the death was not reported, monthly payments of $1,000 from Robert Gasper's U.S. Postal Service pension and $174 from Social Security continued to be deposited into a bank account that included Rodney Gasper's name.
Rodney Gasper, who tested positive for methamphetamine, spent the money on dog food, his electric bill, Pepsi, doughnuts, gas and marijuana, according to court documents.
An autopsy conducted Monday didn't determine what caused the elder Gasper's death. His body had no visible injuries, said Morgan County Coroner Gary Garber.
Son of Retired Postal Worker, hides Body to collect pension checks
by RR 3 Replies latest social current
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RR
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Double Edge
Morgan County deputies found Robert Gasper's body Saturday under carpeting in his trailer, .... A white powder that Rodney Gasper said was carpet deodorizer was sprinkled around the remains.........After his father died, Rodney Gasper said he spent most of his time with friends, in the woods or near the lake.
I guess he wasn't completely stupid.... (human beings never cease to amaze me....) -
Odrade
Sounds like an XFiles episode or sumpin'
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blondie
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13956451/
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