https://www.al.com/news/birmin...ty-sheriff-says.html

A skull found in the front yard of a Calhoun County home early Friday has been identified as the resident who authorities say died while trying to steal power.

Sheriff Matthew Wade identified the victim as 56-year-old Randall Stephens. He was released from the Calhoun County Jail on May 16, where he had been behind bars since October 2018 on drug and gun charges. At the time of his arrest last year, the sheriff said, Stephens was receiving power by illegal means.

The discovery of Stephens’ remains was made about 7 a.m. Friday when deputies received a report of a human skull in the front yard of a residence in the Cedar Springs Community. The homeowner was leaving his residence when he observed the skull.

Deputies searched the area and discovered the body at a residence approximately two-tenths of a mile away. The body was at the bottom of a power pole and badly decomposed, Wade said.

There was a ladder next the power pole and there was a belt and jumper cables at the top of the pole. The investigation concluded Stephens was attempting to illegally gain power to his residence by jumping the power lines. Alabama Power responded to the scene to help with the investigation and render the power pole safe.

The sheriff said he doesn’t yet know when Stephens died, but said nobody had reported him missing. They believe he died shortly after his jail release.

Electricity, he said, is extremely dangerous for trained professionals not to mention individuals that have no training or proper equipment. “Respect electricity,’’ Wade said. “Not only is stealing power illegal it is deadly.”

As stupid as he was, how did he manage to live to 56 years of age?

I'm sure his well developed plan included a means of getting the line voltage down to useable levels, but he just didn't get a chance to set that up.

“Respect electricity,’’ Wade said.

Clearly this was a man with very little respect.

What a bright idea. I wonder what sparked his plan?

Darwin Award nominee.

Shocking.

Wow. Toast in 3 seconds at line voltage.

He wanted to turn his life around. He just needed some power to do it.

Did I read it correctly, his head was 2/10th of a mile away from his body? They specifically said skull which I interpret as no flesh. Did an animal get to him or did his head fly off after the big zap?

We had a guy try this in Atlanta at his duplex once. The smell was the worst.

Well that, and where he was sprayed onto the side of the place. Good times...

I wonder if he said "FLAME ON" just before he attached the cables !
I'm sure the fire ants made a quick Defleshing of a cooked head.

The juice was loose!

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
Did I read it correctly, his head was 2/10th of a mile away from his body? They specifically said skull which I interpret as no flesh. Did an animal get to him or did his head fly off after the big zap?

Have the same question...

I bet he hit the ground with a jolt.

Very technically, he was successful.

quote:

The sheriff said he doesn’t yet know when Stephens died, but said nobody had reported him missing. They believe he died shortly after his jail release.

Well, at least we now know his current whereabouts. The whole thing was entirely his own volt. Even if he'd been arrested at the time, he would have had no resistance to the charge of theft. Paying a utility company to light up his ohm was the last thing he wanted.

If I was the homeowner I'd be thinking about who in the neighborhood would put a skull in my yard.

It was likely a carrion eater, but if your neighbors steal power, you never know.

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jBkoEM0SSE

Dawin Award Recipient!!!

quote:

Originally posted by NK402:
Darwin Award nominee.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:

It was likely a carrion eater

Perhaps an unladen African swallow.