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A tragic incident unfolded as a man lost his life to electrocution during an alleged attempt to steal copper wire from utility lines. His partner in the crime, a long-time friend, was apprehended after attempting to flee.
Jerry Hendrickson now faces charges of abandoning a corpse following the death of his friend, Cody Lashly, according to a press release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. In addition to this charge, Hendrickson is also accused of attempting to steal property valued at $750 or more and causing damage to a crucial infrastructure facility. Details from court documents have not clarified whether Hendrickson has entered a plea.
The grim discovery occurred on March 22 when a worker inspecting power lines along Labadie Power Plant Road found an unresponsive man, later identified as 34-year-old Lashly. According to a probable cause affidavit, Lashly had fresh burn marks on his left hand and the right side of his face.
Authorities allege that Lashly was in the process of cutting and stealing copper wire from the utility lines. At the scene, police found a power tool attached to a pole, a snapped utility pole, and downed power lines.
Further investigation led to the discovery of broken vehicle side mirror pieces, which were traced to a Dodge Ram truck. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the truck arriving at the scene with two occupants and departing with only one.
Hendrickson allegedly admitted to police that he drove Lashly to the scene and allowed him to stand on the bed of his truck to access the wire, the press release noted. During that process, a utility pole snapped which caused live electrical lines to hit Lashly’s body and electrocute him to death.Â
Police said Hendrickson fled the scene out of fear, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Oxygen could not locate an attorney for Hendrickson. His next court date is April 16.