Authorities found Butler County Health Department Administrator Robert Hudson dead inside his garage Tuesday morning. Foul play is not suspected in his death.
At 8:36 a.m., “we received a call from the Butler County Health Department in reference to Administrator Robert Hudson not showing up for work (Monday) and (Tuesday) morning,” explained Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs.
A deputy responded to Hudson’s residence in the 100 block of County Road 525 to check on his well being, the sheriff said.
“There was no response when the deputy knocked on the door, and he had to make forced entry,” Dobbs said. “Upon entering the garage area of the house, he discovered Robert Hudson on the floor of the garage next to his truck.
“It was readily apparent that Robert Hudson had been deceased for some time.”
Butler County Coroner Andy Moore responded to the scene and pronounced Hudson, 52, dead.
“Preliminary indications are that we’re investigating a death that could be either by accident or natural causes,” Dobbs explained. “So far, there is nothing that makes us believe that we are dealing with anything that is a homicide or suicide.”
Dobbs said there were no signs of forced entry at the home.
“There was nothing out of place in the home that the deputy found,” Dobbs said.
Based on the investigation, “we think the time frame (for Hudson’s death) is somewhere beyond 10:30 on Sunday morning,” Dobbs said.
Reliable sources, according to Dobbs, indicate “Robert was just having a normal day Sunday morning, and the same can be said of what was found at the house.
“He apparently had some meat thawing for later consumption, for dinner maybe later that night.”
Breakfast items were found inside of his truck, Dobbs said.
The half-eaten breakfast items “indicate he most likely was preparing to leave in his truck,” Dobbs said.
“There is a lot to be figured out and more investigation to be done with the help of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, as well as the Butler County Coroner’s Office,” Dobbs said.
According to Dobbs, there are a lot of “variables as to what could have happened. The autopsy, as well as the continuing investigation hopefully will give us a clearer picture of what really happened.”
Moore said the autopsy will be performed Wednesday morning by Dr. Russell Deidiker at Farmington.
“After meeting with the staff, we did close the office early (Tuesday),” said Mary Ann Allen, chair of the Butler County Health Department’s Board of Directors.
County health services will be provided at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Allen said.
Officials were not prepared to comment further on the matter as of Tuesday afternoon.