Hunter finds body in woods near golf course, starting suspicious death investigation

LOYALHANNA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police believe the death of a man whose body was found in the woods near a golf course is suspicious.

Robert Friend, 64, was found on Saturday with no ID, no hunting equipment and visible wounds.

“We are basically starting from scratch,” Trooper Steve Limani said. “This is a whodunit, most likely from the start. We found it and now it’s like a test of all tests for an investigator.”

Friend’s body was found in Pennsylvania State Game Lands by the 17th hole of Mannitto Golf Course in Loyalhanna Township. Police said a hunter walking in the game lands early Saturday morning made the discovery.

“There were things that would lead us to believe that somebody most likely inflicted some type of injury to him to cause this,” Limani said.

It wasn’t until police released these photos of Friend’s tattoos that they were able to identify him. Police said he does not have a permanent address and does not have a history with law enforcement. His death was ruled “suspicious” while investigators wait for an autopsy report.

“We are not ruling out that this happened somewhere else and then Mr.Friend was dropped off there,” Limani said.

Investigators determined Friend to be dead for around eight hours, leaving his death to occur either late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

“If you’re the person that was involved in this, you’re better off coming forward on your own than having us chase you down,” Limani warned.

There is now a $2,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information. And if you were involved, state police say it is only a matter of time before they find out.

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