Donald Robert Sainlar Obituary (1953 - 1982)

Born Jun 03, 1953, Donald Robert Sainlar attended Stanton County High School in Johnson, KS. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Donald Robert Sainlar.

Graduation Year	Class of 1971
Date of Birth	Jun 03, 1953
Date of Passing	Jul 03, 1982
About	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20690270/donald-robert-sainlar
Events	Officials Believe Bizarre Accident Involved in Death Daily Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK) - Tuesday, August 3, 1982 _ The fatal head wound suffered by Donald R. Sainlar at first appeared to have been inflicted by gunfire, but Woodward County investigators said Monday they now believe the man may have been the victim of a bizarre traffic accident. Two men are being held in connection with the death until authorities receive the results of laboratory tests that might confirm the theory that Sainlar was killed when he poked his head out of a moving car and struck a bridge pillar. Woodward County Undersheriff Jim Arnold said the investigation began July 26, the day the body of Sainlar, 29, of Fort Supply, was found by a farmer at the edge of his plowed field next to U.S. 183. ""We sent the body off to Oklahoma City for autopsy and the preliminary report was that the hole in the head was consistent with a gunshot wound,'' Arnold said. He said it was estimated the man had been dead from 24 to 48 hours. He said shortly after the report was received, deputies began searching the area north of here. ""Now we have come up with some evidence that a bridge might be involved,'' Arnold said. He said deputies found blood and hair on a concrete bridge pillar on the span that crosses the South Canadian River. ""We have sent samples of the hair and blood to the laboratories of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation,'' he said. He said Sainlar had worked for oil companies and a water-well firm in the past, but was unemployed at the time of his death. Sainlar had moved to Fort Supply about three months ago from Manter, Kan., Arnold said. He said two Iowa men in their 20s were being held in the county jail in connection with the death. One was being held as a material witness and the other on a complaint of leaving the scene of an accident. Arnold would not identify the men, but said neither had been charged with a crime.