New Year Turns Tragic
The year 2005 began with tragedy for the family of a local man. It is believed that while the rest of the town was ringing in the New Year, 40 year old Kenneth Puckett was in a fight for his life.
Puckett, who had been living in Maryland with a sibling, came to Lake Providence to stay with other family members while his former house was being renovated. He was last seen by his brother, Willie Puckett, on December 31, 2004, before Willie left to celebrate the New Year. Upon his return the following day, Willie could tell that his brother had not been home. Due to Puckett's learning deficiencies and special needs, the Lake Providence Police Department was called and the search began. A team of Kenny's family and friends combed the town, putting up posters and talking to locals about the disappearance.
Word began to circulate around town that Puckett was murdered by 49 year old, Ricky Frith and his accomplice, 46 year old Sandra Pee. The Police Department, with the assistance of the Sheriff's Department and the Louisiana State Police, began questioning the two, particularly Pee, and they were soon led to the location of the body. Kenneth Puckett was found Wednesday evening, January 5, 2005, in a bar pit just over the levee north of town. A cause of death was not officially released, but town talk indicates that Puckett was stabbed to death.
At this time, a motive is not known and Puckett's relationship, if any, to the two is also not known. Frith and Pee are being held at River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence. The investigation is still open and several more arrests are expected within the coming days.