Identified! KY - Eddyville, Lake Barkley, WhtMale 35-50, UP75, wrapped in tire chains anchored by hydraulic jack, May’99 - Roger Dale Parham (Wanted by FBI)

[MadMcGoo]

That makes me think more of Harold!!!! Here are snippets from this article about his disappearance...

• MISSING SINCE July 21, 1997
• July 30, 1997

Angelina County sheriff's officials found what was left of Bill Roland's truck Wednesday night a inside of the cab was totally destroyed by the fire, Conn said. There is nothing to indicate at this time foul play other than the fact someone burned the truck. (WHAT?!) The only item investigators found in the cab was a burned rifle under the back seat. An ice chest was found in the bed of the truck, but missing was an orange ladder with the acronym J.O.C. which stands for J.O. Cheatham, a construction company in which Roland is Vice President. The truck returned as registered to J.O. Cheatham Contractors. () Investigators know the truck was in the rugged brush more than a week because the teens who found it first saw it on July 23rd, Conn said.

• Aug. 16, 1997

Last weekend searchers found tools that bill Roland carried in the back of his truck, near the area where his burned 1996 gray Chevrolet Z71 extended cab truck was found on July 30.

Texas Ranger Sgt. Don Morris said the tools, found in the same area as the truck, did not appear to have been there on July 31 when lawmen searched the area. "The tools did not appear to be there," he said. "They searched the same area, and they did not locate them that morning, and I'm assuming they were not there. We have no explanation why the tools were not there," Morris said. "They were not burned, so it kind of makes it even more fishy." Morris says lawmen still have no evidence of foul play (STILL?!) or any indications that Roland might have left on his own intentions. He also said he has seen no evidence of any activity in Roland's checking and bank statements since his disappearance.

• Aug. 17, 1997

Searchers found what they believe is the boat trailer last seen being pulled by Bill Roland on his way to his lake house in San Augustine County. The trailer was found hidden in a wooded area about 4 miles south of Broaddus off State 147 about mid-afternoon Saturday. The trailer was found about 20 miles away from where Roland was last seen on July 21 headed to his camp house at Powell Park.

• Oct. 24, 1997

East Texas lawmen found Bill Roland's boat Wednesday night, Oct 22, 1997, adding another twist to the mystery of the Lufkin businessman who has been missing for three months. The 1994 Lowe pontoon boat, which had what appeared to be gunshot holes in the pontoons, was discovered in a narrow cove off the Harvey Creek recreational area by Texas Rangers and lawmen from Angelina and San Augustine counties. Harvey Creek is located at the end of FM 2390 in San Augustine County. A duck hunter installing a duck blind in the secluded slough saw the boat wedged underneath a willow tree.

The top of the boat was missing and the pontoons had holes in them believed to be from either a gunshot or a large caliber shotgun, Henson said. "We are sure it's Bill's boat," Henson said. "The boat had been carefully placed under a willow tree, and you couldn't see it until you were right upon it." It took lawmen about three hours to unwedge the boat and tow it to Harvey Creek. There were no signs of foul play evident on the boat, Henson said.

• Jan. 29, 1998

A dive team discovered the awning to a missing Lufkin businessman's boat Wednesday...about 3 p.m. Wednesday in Lake Sam Rayburn near the place where the boat was found Oct. 22 wedged underneath a willow tree in a secluded slough near Harvey Creek

 

[MadMcGoo]

If someone tells me Mac’s cause of death was a gunshot wound...

 

[PezCandy]

I was the one who mentioned his throat possibly being slashed. My thought on that is the cloth wrapped around his neck could have been to stop the bleeding as it was a couple items that were wrapped around his neck, this would make sense in the theory that someone was moving him and didn’t want his blood getting on things.

 

[carbuff]

That's an interesting thought. I had wondered why he would have that stuff around his neck.

 

[PezCandy]

It didn’t dawn on me right away, it was after I read what was wrapped around his neck, the layers, if you’re going to strangle someone you wouldn’t have to use multiple layers to do it, one thing would have been enough, but if you’re bleeding out you layer to stop the bleeding. I got injured years back in car accident and the glass cut an area on my neck and the bleeding was so bad I had to wrap in layers with what I had on me till the ambulance came. And that was just a little gash, a bigger one would have bleed a lot more especially if hitting an artery.

 

[R. Towle]

Ok I may be missing something, how is there no evidence of foul play when there are bullet holes in the boat??
Regarding the layers around the neck, great theory there. Maybe he was shot in the neck rather that having his throat cut?

 

[MadMcGoo]

Ok I may be missing something, how is there no evidence of foul play when there are bullet holes in the boat??
Regarding the layers around the neck, great theory there. Maybe he was shot in the neck rather that having his throat cut?

Not missing anything...I think maybe those investigators missed some clues though!

Good thought - shot in the neck. Definitely could cause death without necessarily being detected on a near skeletal body.

 

[PezCandy]

I wonder why no COD tho? knowing some detail other than”homicide” could definitely help link a case. Do you think more details on John Doe will be released? Did they do tox etc?

 

[Melt71]

Ok I may be missing something, how is there no evidence of foul play when there are bullet holes in the boat??
Regarding the layers around the neck, great theory there. Maybe he was shot in the neck rather that having his throat cut?

Maybe he was drugged and unresponsive when weighted and put in the water, meaning death by drowning? Maybe the cloth items were originally wrapped around his mouth. Without being too graphic, stuff slips more easily after a body has been in the water.

 

[carbuff]

Ok I may be missing something, how is there no evidence of foul play when there are bullet holes in the boat??
Regarding the layers around the neck, great theory there. Maybe he was shot in the neck rather that having his throat cut?

Somebody could have used it for target practice after it was in that location. In gun country, most anything that's left for a while becomes a target...

 

[MadMcGoo]

I’m not sure why no COD, maybe the criminal aspect of the case?

I initially didn’t think too much of the stuff wrapped around his neck, I took it as maybe it was just stuff that he’d gotten caught in while in the water. Because I still don’t completely understand how a “band” and blanket were found within 20 feet of the body, when he was found in a lake. (Probably near shore, but still). This case is the one we seem to have the most questions about. Especially when I comes to things that could point us in at least a general direction to be searching for a possible MP match...I’ll know more when I hear back from the ME...

 

[Trudie]

Hi everyone, just reading & catching up.
I’m from KY & vividly remember when this man was found.
Someone asked about the depth of the lake, I’m guessing 55’. We used to boat a lot & most of our circle preferred much deeper water, Jmo.
Also I attached image of 8ton jack.

Do any of you think this man was hitchhiking?
Ty

Sunex 8-Ton Long Stroke Bottle Jack-5081B - The Home Depot Link for jack

all moo

 

[Trudie]

Another thing I’ll add, KY State Pen’ is in the area.
That’s why I wondered if the victim was hitchhiking, hoping to visit someone in prison.
Kentucky State Penitentiary - Wikipedia

 

[Trudie]

"A white t-shirt (Size XL) front logo “No Fear Sports Bar” and back logo “No Fear Gear”; Blue jeans (Size 38x30); Blue and white nylon Starter windbreaker emblazoned with Dallas Cowboys logo"
--
Both of these make me think that maybe he was from Texas despite isotope testing.

38x30 jeans really stands out to me. If the victim measured 6’3”, he was very short legged, with a very stout gut to need a 38” waist. I’m almost 5’8” & I get my jeans in 32” inseam.
Was he a hitchhiking, homeless person literally wearing all the clothes he owned?

 

[UnderstandBlue]

I wondered if it was a token of some sort but couldn't find anything similar and a token likely would not say "Made in China" so prominently.

So I guess it *is* a button and to me it looks like bR. I couldn't find anything at all but it was kind of fun to see all of those old Banana Republic catalogues! I can't remember if anyone has reverse image searched it? I seem to be incapable of doing so. ((sigh))

Definitely looks like BR to me. Easier to see in Photoshop. Here's a high pass version of it: High Pass Button.jpg

I had no luck with reverse image or a brand search but it seems to me that everything he's wearing could be from a store like Academy. I didn't find any house brands that matched BR, but maybe it will ring a bell with someone.

 

[Trudie]

Another nagging question, where was he killed? Elsewhere & dumped in Lake B?

 

[UnderstandBlue]

Another nagging question, where was he killed? Elsewhere & dumped in Lake B?

The towel around the neck thing - someone didn't want evidence in their car/truck. So I'd assume some distance away.

The chains make me think the perp, not the victim might have been the trucker or person from a colder climate. If the victim were a trucker, the truck (assuming everyone means long haul trucker/18 wheeler here) is a hard piece of evidence to dispose of. His body not so much.

 

[carbuff]

The towel around the neck thing - someone didn't want evidence in their car/truck. So I'd assume some distance away.

The chains make me think the perp, not the victim might have been the trucker or person from a colder climate. If the victim were a trucker, the truck (assuming everyone means long haul trucker/18 wheeler here) is a hard piece of evidence to dispose of. His body not so much.

Not uncommon to have 18-wheelers highjacked for their cargo and then abandoned. The drivers are usually left to walk rather than murdered, but if he fought back, who knows.

Here's an FBI article about a recent case: Interstate Cargo Theft | Federal Bureau of Investigation

 

[Trudie]

I don’t think he was a driver only because I can’t find any archived reports of an abandoned truck or missing driver.
But, I’m not ruling out he was a trucker.
I’m not in Eddyville a lot but used to be, I always noticed a large police presence, I assumed due to the state penitentiary. A large presence compared to other KY towns of like population.
Also, one thing that gnaws at me is his weight. He certainly does not look like a large man in the image. Again, very short legs for a man his height. Jmo. I’m wondering if he was down on his luck wearing items given to him. Or, fled a bad relationship scene, grabbing what he could ending up in a truck. A truck with a deranged driver?

 

[UnderstandBlue]

I don’t think he was a driver only because I can’t find any archived reports of an abandoned truck or missing driver.
But, I’m not ruling out he was a trucker.
I’m not in Eddyville a lot but used to be, I always noticed a large police presence, I assumed due to the state penitentiary. A large presence compared to other KY towns of like population.
Also, one thing that gnaws at me is his weight. He certainly does not look like a large man in the image. Again, very short legs for a man his height. Jmo. I’m wondering if he was down on his luck wearing items given to him. Or, fled a bad relationship scene, grabbing what he could ending up in a truck. A truck with a deranged driver?

I agree - just from a little sewing experience, it seems 3-4" off to me, but if he was wearing them, I guess they're his. I would think it would make for a recognizable physical description, if those numbers aren't an error.

The electrical wire to me is more interesting than the chains, because to be "wrapped" in romex, let's say, that would narrow down who was there considerably. I wish there was more detail on what type of wire it was.

It would not be common for anyone but an electrician to have enough wire to "wrap" a large man's body in, in my opinion. Some sort of construction work seems likely if it was in fact electrical wire, and that's not being used as a description for something like an extension cord, etc.