Family offers clue in death

11/18/2000

LIMA, O. - A Texas man found without his head or hands in a Perry Township cornfield last summer was in Ohio to look for used cars for his business, family members told the Allen County sheriff's office.

Mario Alberta Parra, 45, was a self-employed used car salesman, according to family members who spoke with sheriff's investigators.

Maj. Larry Van Horn said the department hasn't confirmed that Mr. Parra was in Lima looking for cars. Investigators don't have a motive or suspects in the killing. Mr. Parra was found Aug. 21 by a maintenance worker cutting grass but wasn't identified until two months later.

Investigators believe the body was mutilated after the man died to cover up the crime. No other injuries were visible.

Dr. Diane Barnett, Lucas County coroner's office pathologist, identified Mr. Parra through lot numbers on orthopedic devices in his back.