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MIFFLINBURG — A 51-year-old Mifflinburg area man found dead in his home June 22 died from a gunshot to the head, according to a person in position to know who had seen an autopsy report from Union County Coroner Wanda Walters.
The person, who spoke Thursday night on condition of anonymity, also said no gun was found in the home of Randy Sampsell at 2093 Buffalo Creek Road.
Milton state troopers, Walters and the Union County district attorney have remained silent about the investigation, but the person said Sampsell was slain.
“He was shot in the head and killed,” the source said. “He was murdered by someone.”
Sampsell, the source said, was a kind man and liked to be alone. His body was found decomposing in his home several days after he was last seen.
Walters on Thursday said that investigators are still trying to determine what killed Sampsell, and wouldn’t release any other details.
She said she could not discuss circumstances about the death and referred all calls to Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson, who did not return phone calls Thursday.
He was said to be on vacation.
Walters also said she was not able to provide the cause of death until she was informed the investigation was complete.
A state police forensics crew and patrol car were parked outside the home about 24 hours after Sampsell was found dead inside the small house.
Troopers did not say who discovered the body, but did report that Sampsell had not been seen for several days.
From the condition of the body and presence of insect larvae, it appears Sampsell could have been dead for seven to 12 days, Johnson said nearly a month ago and shortly after the body was discovered.
Suicide has not been ruled out, Johnson said at the time, but would not confirm whether a weapon was found near the body.
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