Accident likely caused death of Butler County man found in pond

FISK, Mo. — Authorities said a Butler County man likely drowned after his truck apparently ran off Highway 51 in early April and became submerged in a pond.

A 1999 Ford pickup and a body, later identified as the truck’s owner, Timothy Scott Harbin, 50, were found Friday afternoon submerged in a pond on the south side of U.S. 60 and the northbound lane of Highway 51.

The body was identified as Harbin based on his tattoos, according to Stoddard County Coroner Kenny Pope.

“He had both of his children’s names on his right and left biceps,” Pope said.

An autopsy was completed Sunday afternoon by Dr. Russell Deidiker at a Farmington, Missouri, hospital, the coroner said,.

“At this time, there is no foul play involved (based on) the preliminary report of the autopsy,” Pope said. “It looks like it was just a vehicle accident.”

Harbin’s cause of death has not been established, but “right now, it’s just being ruled an accident,” Pope said. “It’s a probable drowning, but we won’t know until toxicology comes back. That usually takes about two months.”

Harbin, who had been staying at his son’s home the 200 block of Butler County Road 632, was reported missing to the sheriff’s department April 5. Harbin’s son said he had last seen his father the previous weekend.

The last known sighting of Harbin was April 2, when he was seen on surveillance video at K&J Git-N-Go in Fisk.

Authorities reported Harbin pulled into the parking lot in his Ford truck and entered the store, where he bought items. Harbin then exited, got in his truck and left.

Harbin, who authorities said didn’t seem under duress, appeared to be alone in his truck. Luggage, identified as Harbin’s, was visible in the truck bed.

Pope said the clothing Harbin wore in the video matched what he had on when he was found Friday.

Based on information from the pond’s owner, the water level where the truck was submerged was about 12 feet, Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner said.

“There was some damage done ... to the driver’s side, down the side,” said Hefner, who couldn’t “say anything” at this point regarding how the accident may have happened.