Published: March 27, 2008 02:44 pm         

Anonymous letter claims Plainfield man's death may not be accidental

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Police here are continuing to investigate the death of Harold “Brad” Hensley whose body was found last week in a retention pond not far from his home in the Glen Haven subdivision.

Hensley had been reported missing more than two years earlier by his wife Kristin. His body was discovered March 17 inside the Jeep he was reported to be driving at the time of his disappearance. Two days later, the Hendricks County Coroner’s Office said the body was positively identified by dental records.

Coroner Jason Matthews said Hensley probably drowned, but added that no official determination has been made as to the cause of death. He said there were no signs of trauma.

Police said they were waiting on toxicology results when they received an anonymous letter on Tuesday claiming that Hensley’s death was not an accident.

Plainfield Det. Jeff Stephens said the letter was addressed to “Plainfield P.D., Plainfield, Ind., c/o The Chief of Police.” He said there was no address or zip code on the envelope and no return address. The letter was postmarked in Indianapolis on March 21.

“The letter was dated March 21,” Stephens said. “The letter stated this case was no accident, it was murder.” He added that the letter was signed “anonymous tipper.”

On March 18, Plainfield Police Officer Todd Knowles, who served as the initial investigator on the case, told the Hendricks County Flyer that Hensley was believed to have developed a Hydrocodone “habit” in the months leading up to his disappearance.

Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Matthews said they have the ability to test for the presence of a drug, but not the quantity.

“It might be able to shed some light,” Matthews said. “But there is nothing new on our end and it’s all still pending.”

Stephens said all of the evidence officers had gathered during the investigation had lead them to believe that Hensley’s death was accidental. Authorities do not yet know if the anonymous letter is an actual tip or simply a hoax, but Stephens said authorities would like to speak with the person who sent the letter.

“We believe the person to be from Indianapolis,” he said.

Because of that, he said, police decided not to notify Hendricks County media about the letter’s existence.

If the letter writer had been a Hendricks County resident, he surmised, they would have known the police department’s address and Plainfield’s zip code.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Stephens at 838-3565.





Amanda Roach writes for the Hendricks County Flyer in Avon, Ind.