Missing Pennsylvania Horseman Group Executive Found Dead

The strange story we reported on yesterday has turned tragic. Todd Carter, the former treasurer of the, had been missing since February. On Tuesday, he was confirmed as the victim of a drowning. A body had been retrieved from the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon and after authorities received positive identification it was announced that it was Carter.

Until today, Carter was presumed to be ‘on the lam’ due what had been described as ‘accounting irregularities’ with the HBPA books. These accusations were made in February and he wasn’t seen at work after that. His current whereabouts remained unknown until the identification of the body and announcement of his death today. At the time his death was discovered he was ‘under investigation’ according to the organization. The HBPA released a statement on Monday that strongly implied that Carter was under criminal investigation: ““Upon first learning of accounting irregularities, PA HBPA immediately contacted the Pennsylvania State Police. We will continue to fully cooperate with the state police, but due to the ongoing investigation, we will have no further comment.” Sgt. Jonathan Kinsey of the Pennsylvania State Police also confirmed that “we are looking for him” but would not acknowledge that Carter was the target of or otherwise involved in a criminal investigation.

A 2009 graduate of the Racetrack Industry Program at the University of Arizona, Carter had worked for the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association since 2010. His body was discovered by fishermen on Sunday and following the confirmation of identity further information was released by Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick. Hetrick indicated that Carter was a victim of ‘freshwater drowning’ and at the present there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. That may be the case, but there are still some unanswered questions–for example, there had been rumors of a note left by Carter at his office prior to his disappearance. On Monday, law enforcement representatives would not confirm nor deny this report.

The Pennsylvania HBPA has offered no comment beyond this tersely written statement: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Carter family. Out of respect for the family, we will have no further comment.”