Authorities: Ore. horseman shot in back of head
Sunday, July 19, 2009 12:45 AM PDT
SPRAGUE RIVER (AP) — A Sprague River horseman was shot in the back of the head and his body buried on the property of the woman accused of killing him, authorities in Klamath County say in court documents.
The body believed to be that of 54-year-old Robert Kincaid was found Thursday on the property of 47-year-old Deanna Brindle.
A man inside Brindle’s house may have helped bury the body but isn’t a suspect in the shooting, said Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger.
Authorities say a neighbor who didn’t know what was in the hole used a backhoe to cover the body, which was in pieces.
An autopsy was conducted Thursday, but a positive identification has not been made.
Foul play was suspected as soon as Kincaid’s horses returned Monday to his property, one wounded in the head, the other without its saddle, Evinger said. The wounded horse was treated and survived.
Kincaid was last seen July 7, leaving his Sprague River property for an 11-mile ride. He was riding one horse and leading the other.
Officers said they found a cell phone and saddle on Brindle’s property.
“Deanna Brindle shot Robert Kincaid in the back of the head with a 4-10 shotgun while at her residence,’’ according to a probable cause statement filed in Klamath County Circuit Court.
She was being held without bail on a murder charge.
Neighbors and law enforcement officials said Kincaid and Brindle had had a romantic relationship, and alcohol may have been a factor in the killing. District Attorney Ed Caleb said it isn’t clear what was the motive for the killing.
Sprague River residents said Kincaid was usually seen on horseback.
“He was a cowboy,’’ said photographer Matthew Ravenhouk. He recalled shooting photos of Kincaid on his horse at Pioneer Days, a parade held each summer on the town’s main street.
