HEMPSTEAD COUNTY, Ark. -- A two-day search for a possible explosive device at Beards Bluff on Millwood Lake has ended after investigators found no credible evidence to indicate the device was inside the guitar case allegedly thrown in the lake.
At approximately 3 p.m Monday, deputies with the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Beards Bluff in reference to a report of a possible explosive device that had reportedly been thrown into the lake.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a Jacksonville, Arkansas, man who told officers he believed there might be a bomb inside a guitar case and he had thrown the case into Millwood Lake.
During the investigation, deputies discovered several disassembled computer components inside the subject's vehicle. Deputies also located pliers and other tools in a fire ring at a nearby campsite.
Due to the possibility of an explosive device being in the lake, deputies contacted the Hempstead County Office of Emergency Management and requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police Bomb Squad.
The bomb squad arrived at the scene near dark and began searching the shoreline and surrounding area. A boat provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was used to assist with the search. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife enforcement officers also responded to provide additional assistance.
The search was suspended Monday night due to darkness and resumed Tuesday morning.
Investigators located a witness who confirmed seeing the individual throw a case into Lake Millwood. Based on the witness account and information obtained during the investigation, investigators believe the individual did, in fact, throw the guitar case into the lake.
During interviews, the individual explained that he had been traveling from Keller, Texas, to his home in Jacksonville, Arkansas, when he began to believe someone may have placed a bomb inside his guitar case. He stated that after seeing a sign directing him toward Millwood Lake and Dam, he traveled to the area and threw the guitar case into the lake because of his concerns.
Investigators also spoke with family members, who reported that the individual had previously experienced a mental health episode. According to family members, he had experienced increasing paranoia since that time and believed people were attempting to harm him or interfere with his personal life.
The individual also told investigators that he believed people were hacking into his personal life and electronic devices. This information helped explain why deputies discovered numerous computer components and Wi-Fi devices that had been disassembled inside his vehicle.
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