AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING DEATH OF NORMAN RIDGE MAN

(09/14/2005)
The badly decomposed body of a Norman Ridge man was discovered by the Calhoun Sheriff's Department Tuesday night.

Dennis Richards, 57, was found sitting on his couch by Chief Deputy Ron Bandy after a neighbor called 911, saying Richards had not been seen since Saturday.

Sheriff Carl Ballengee said Richards had told neighbors he was depressed over not being able to pay his bills.

Burners on a cooking stove were left on, "super-heating the house," said Ballengee, who said an investigation into the cause of death is being made since it was unattended.

The body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner's office in Charleston.