The Body of Jackson County Murder Suspect is Discovered


SOUTH CHARLESTON – The West Virginia State Police along with the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force have announced that the body of a white male, believed to be Gary Culp of Jackson County, West Virginia, was found in a motel room in Blue Springs, Missouri. The male had apparently committed suicide. The cause of death appears to be a single gunshot wound to the head.

According to Senior Trooper D. S. Snider of the Ripley State Police detachment, Sergeant Mike Kruger of the Blue Springs Missouri Police Department contacted Trooper Snider at approximately 2:30pm today and explained that his officers had discovered the body in a hotel in Blue Springs, Missouri. The body was then sent to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office in Kansas City for positive identification.

Gary Culp was wanted in West Virginia for the murder of his wife, Linda Culp. The body of Mrs. Culp was found early Tuesday morning on July 22, 2003, in a shallow grave behind their family home in Kenna. Mr. Culp was missing and immediately became the prime suspect. It was believed Mr. Culp was traveling to the western part of the United States. A national broadcast to all law enforcement agencies was issued and a brief segment profiling Mr. Culp was aired on the July 26th episode of America’s Most Wanted.

The final location of Mr. Culp was achieved through law enforcement investigation and did not result from the America’s Most Wanted broadcast. More information surrounding the investigation will be released once a positive identification has been determined.

BACK