Darden found dead
By Anita L. Sherman Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The word spread quickly through the Rappahannock community late Tuesday.
Flint Hill resident Buddy Darden was found dead on the grounds of Vista Hermosa where he resided with long-time partner Richard Lykes.
Around noon on Tuesday, Lykes became alarmed when he wasn't able to find Darden who had been suffering from back problems. After searching on his own, Lykes enlisted the help of the Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office.
"It was Deputy Robbie Fincham who found him," confirmed Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Smith Wednesday morning. "It was very sad," she said. Fincham knew both Darden and Lykes. In the past he had fished in the pond on the property.
Darden's death is under investigation pending an autopsy according to Smith. "With any violent death, there are several things that have to be confirmed," added Smith.
Darden, 55, was a senior architect and project manager at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington where he had worked for the past 20 years. He and Richard Lykes bought their farm near Flint Hill in 1992.
A memorial service will be held in the coming weeks according to Lykes who is a frequent contributor to the Rappahannock News and is well-known throughout the community.
By Anita L. Sherman
Rappahannock News Staff Writer