Churchville man found dead

Sean Peter Placko

By: Chase Purdy | News Virginian
Published: March 11, 2010

CHURCHVILLE — Authorities are investigating the death of a Churchville man found over the weekend in Bedford County, 80 miles from home.

Authorities identified the man Wednesday as Sean Peter Placko, 42. A fisherman alerted the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office after discovering Placko’s body Sunday near Snowden Bridge along the banks of the James River, authorities said.

The cause of death is not determined, authorities said. Placko’s family Feb. 23 reported him missing to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

Relatives and friends of Placko remembered him as a quiet man who enjoyed fishing and bow hunting. Despite Placko’s love of the outdoors, Corey O’Leary, 18, of Deerfield, said, his uncle would not have taken a long trip unannounced.

“He would have told somebody if he had gone fishing,” O’Leary said. “Plus, he would have brought his fishing poles, but they were out at the house.”

Authorities said friends and relatives last saw Placko near his home at 116 Dry Branch Road around Feb. 14. The missing persons report was delayed because several people suspected Placko might have checked into a treatment facility without telling anyone, authorities said.

Augusta County Sheriff’s Department officials did not elaborate on what kind of treatment Placko might have sought.

Placko served time for habitually driving without a license, according to court records. He was convicted of driving while under the influence and public intoxication in Augusta County in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

O’Leary said he and his mother lived with his uncle in Churchville for about six months before moving to Deerfield. He said Placko got along well with neighbors.

Brandy McCray, who lives across the street from Placko’s now-empty Churchville home, said he frequently visited her and her husband, bringing cold drinks and fresh fish for dinner.

“He was fun and outgoing,” McCray said. “He caught a lot of fish.”

Mary Placko, Sean Placko’s sister-in-law, said she spoke with Augusta County investigators about the death Wednesday afternoon.

“He loved his fishing and hunting,” she said, “and he had the biggest heart you could ever have.”