NKyTribune staff report
The Maryland man that sparked a massive manhunt when he fired shots in the direction of a park ranger has been found dead at Big Bone Lick State Park.
David Lee Rickerson, of Hagerstown, Maryland, is believed to have fired three shots in the direction of the park ranger Thursday evening, June 16, causing the park to be shut down and triggering the extensive manhunt.
Rickerson
The search resumed the following morning, but was called off again when Rickerson could not be located.
Members of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. team, with the assistance of other agencies, conducted a follow-up search Thursday, June 23. A body, identified by the Boone COunty Coroner’s Office as Rickerson, was located at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office has issued the following statement regarding the incident:
Members of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Unit, Boone County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. Team, State Park Maintenance Workers, and K-9’s from the KY Search Dog Association conducted an additional search of Big Bone Park for the missing subject on Thursday, June 23 just prior to 9 a.m.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. search team members located a deceased male in a secluded section of the woods on park property. The Boone County Coroner’s Office responded and assisted with the scene and identification of the deceased.
The subject has been identified as David Lee Rickerson, 62, of Hagerstown, Maryland, and confirmed to be the subject of the previous search and manhunt from June 17th by Boone County Sheriff Deputies.
The cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner pending an autopsy, however, no foul play is suspected at this time.
Boone County Sheriff Deputies and the Crime Scene Unit have processed and released the scene. The family of the deceased has been notified. Updates on the investigation will be given at a later time.
