Death of Timothy Davis RATLEY, 2009

RATLEY, BROTHERS, SOBOTKA

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 9/18/2009 at 05:43:53

Clarinda Herald-Journal
Clarinda, Iowa
November 4, 2008

BODY OF MISSING CLARINDA MAN
FOUND IN RURAL RINGGOLD COUNTY

CLARINDA (MNS) - Authorities made a chilling discovery on Halloween morning Friday, as the body of a missing Clarinda man was found in a rural area of Ringgold County northeast of Mount Ayr.

The State Medical Examiners Office determined on Saturday the body was that of Timothy Davis RATLEY, 42, of Clarinda.

Although the exact cause of death had not been released as of Monday afternoon, Clarinda Police Chief Keith BROTHERS said there was no indication of foul play.

On Oct. 27, the Ringgold County Sheriff's Department received a report of an abandoned van stuck on 220th Street.

After it was determined on Tuesday that the vehicle had potentially been left by an individual from Clarinda, the Ringgold County Sheriff's Office started a search for an individual in the area of the abandoned vehicle.

Brothers said he received a missing person's report regarding Ratley on Oct. 30.

"A concerned individual contacted me on Oct. 30, and was concerned about the welfare of Mr. RATLEY. The individual had not seen or visited with him for approximately seven to 10 days prior to that time," BROTHERS explained.

After receiving the report, BROTHERS notified the Ringgold County Sheriff's Office that RATLEY had officially been declared missing.

As a result, Ringgold County Sheriff Mike SOBOTKA requested the Iowa State Patrol perform a flyover of the area surrounding the abandoned van.

During the flyover Oct. 31, officers with the Iowa State Patrol aircraft identified a location in Section 2 of Poe Township in Ringgold County where there appeared to be a body.

Officers conducted a foot search of the grassy area and at approximately 10 a.m. found the body of a Caucasian male that was later identified as RATLEY.

Graveside services will be held for RATLEY on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery of Red Oak.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact the Ringgold County Sheriff's Office at (641) 464-3921.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2009